Minnesota leaders call for investigation into death of a man at ICE facility in Texas

Minnesota elected officials are calling for a transparent investigation into the death of a man who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota and later died in federal custody.

Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, died Jan. 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. Diaz was detained by ICE in Minneapolis on Jan. 6 after agents determined he was not authorized to be in the country, according to a news release from the agency.

In Texas, ICE says Diaz was found unconscious in his room and medical staff on site conducted live saving measures. EMS arrived 10 minutes after they were called and continued trying to save the man’s life until he was pronounced dead at 4:09 p.m.

ICE believes the man died by suicide, but the official cause of death is under investigation, according to the agency, which announced his death Jan. 18.

Gov. Tim Walz called for an investigation into Diaz’s death. “This is deeply disturbing, especially after reports of growing concerns about the conditions at this facility,” Walz wrote in a post on social media. “An investigation must take place.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar also called for a “a full and transparent investigation” into Diaz’s death in a post on social media.

Sen. Tina Smith said on social media that the death was “another senseless tragedy” and that ICE has an obligation to keep detainees safe.

After six days, Diaz’s family contacted one of his friends in Minnesota, who notified them that Diaz had been detained by agents. An agent called Diaz’s mother and informed her of her son’s death on Jan. 15. His family is seeking resources to repatriate his body to Nicaragua, according to the post.

According to the El Paso Times, Diaz is the third detainee to die while facing deportation at Camp East Montana, which opened in August. Since then, civil rights advocates have raised concerns about conditions in the facility.

In one of those deaths, the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to rule it a homicide, according to the Washington Post.

Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin told the outlet that Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died during a struggle with security staff after attempting to take his own life.

ICE said the agency is committed to making sure all those in custody are in safe, secure and humane environments.

According to ICE, Diaz was from Nicaragua and entered the U.S. in 2024. He was given a final order of removal two days before his death. ICE didn’t cite any other criminal charges.