Guatemalan man dies in ICE custody

Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez, a 43-year-old man from Guatemala, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Otay Mesa Detention Center on October 24. He was in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Two San Diego County supervisors are now demanding a full accounting of his care and guaranteed access for future inspections.

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and Supervisor Paloma Aguirre sent a letter to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday. They requested a complete timeline of Gutierrez's medical history from intake until his death. This includes any noted health conditions, requests for medical help, and the timing of staff checks. They also asked for all records and video footage to be turned over to investigators.

Lawson-Remer emphasized the state's obligation to protect individuals in its care. She stated, "When our government takes someone into custody, it takes responsibility for their life, their health, and their safety. No one should lose their basic human rights just because they're behind bars." Aguirre specifically requested details on when staff last checked on Gutierrez and what medical visits occurred during his stay.

ICE confirmed that staff began life-saving measures immediately after finding Gutierrez but were unsuccessful. The agency has not yet determined the cause of death. CoreCivic, the private company that operates the facility, said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by the loss. The company noted that all deaths in ICE custody are reviewed by the federal agency.

The death follows months of tension between county officials and the facility's operators. In June, a county public health officer inspected the center and identified issues with tuberculosis reporting and delays in obtaining medical equipment. Lawson-Remer criticized the current process for gaining entry, stating, "We should not have to sue the federal government every time a public health officer needs to walk inside an ICE detention facility." ICE maintains that it provides medical screenings and emergency care to those in its custody.

The supervisors' letter asks for confirmation on whether the problems found in the June inspection have been fixed. They are pressing for cooperation from ICE, the Trump administration, and CoreCivic to resolve the outstanding questions regarding Gutierrez's death and the general safety of the facility.