Former DACA recipient dies in ICE custody, sparking questions about treatment

A 39-year-old former DACA recipient, Ismael Ayala-Uribe, died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, prompting scrutiny of conditions at the Adelanto detention center and the federal immigration system.

Ayala-Uribe was pronounced dead at 2:32 a.m. on Sept. 22. He had been referred to the hospital the previous day to evaluate an abscess on his buttock and was scheduled for surgery. ICE reported that he was also hypertensive and displayed abnormal tachycardia. The cause of death remains under investigation by DHS.

Ayala-Uribe came to the U.S. as a young child and received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection in 2012. His renewal request was denied in 2016 following a DUI conviction. He was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Aug. 17 during an enforcement action at the Fountain Valley Auto Wash, where he had worked for 15 years, and was transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center on Aug. 22 for immigration proceedings.

Internal emails obtained by the Los Angeles Times show that about two weeks after arriving at Adelanto, Ayala-Uribe reported symptoms including a cough, fever, and severe pain. Staff flagged his condition as potentially life-threatening, and he was escorted to the facility’s medical center in a wheelchair. However, about an hour and a half later, medical staff cleared him to return to his dormitory. He was not sent to a hospital until three days later, as reported by the L.A. Times.

Family members told the Times that ICE provided limited information as his health declined. “He was telling them that he was sick, he wasn’t feeling well. He’s tried asking for help, but they wouldn’t really do anything,” said his younger brother, Jose Ayala. A fellow detainee reportedly contacted the family late Sunday to report that Ismael was shaking severely and had finally been sent to the infirmary, and officials then informed the family of his death the following morning.

Ayala-Uribe’s death is the 14th reported in federal immigration custody so far in 2025, the L.A. Times reported. Advocates have highlighted concerns about medical care and staffing at Adelanto, one of California’s largest ICE detention centers, which is operated by the private firm GEO Group. 

Some current and former staff members told the Times that an influx of detainees and inexperienced hires may have contributed to inadequate medical response.

The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice called for an independent investigation, stating that “no one should profit from immigrant incarceration, and no family should endure loss due to neglect.” ICE and the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that all detainees have access to comprehensive medical care and 24-hour emergency services.

Ayala-Uribe’s family plans to hold a press conference with their immigration attorney on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 1:00 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles to discuss the circumstances of his death.

Sofia Pop and Mitzi Vazquez contributed to this article.