By Michael Angelo Hernandez
Another man loses his life under the custody of the president’s pseudo-paramilitary force, ICE. On Wednesday, October 28, San Diego County confirmed the name of the deceased inmate as Guillermo Pascual Verganza. The 43-year-old Guatemalan man died inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Saturday, October 24. In their official press release, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said:
“At approximately 11:31 a.m. Oct. 24, facility staff observed Jimenez in his assigned safety cell and attempted to wake him after he was unresponsive. Facility staff contacted medical personnel, declared a medical emergency, and called 911. Medical personnel began cardiopulmonary resuscitation at approximately 11:38 a.m. Paramedics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection arrived at approximately 11:52 a.m. and continued lifesaving measures. A paramedic pronounced Jimenez deceased at approximately 12:23 p.m.”
ICE’s press release originally misidentified Verganza as “Roberto Jimenez Gutierrez” and characterized him as a “criminal illegal alien”. Immediately following the announcement of his death, ICE listed the man’s alleged criminal history, including a 2024 conviction for selling liquor to a minor, prior arrests for battery against a spouse, and child abuse among other charges. Charges which his family insists are all made up.
Verganza was arrested by ICE on October 9 while they conducted operations in Escondido. In a video of his arrest captured by a community activist, Verganza was seen identifying himself as “Roberto”. Family members expressed uncertainty about why he would do so. Following his arrest, the man was taken to the Otay Mesa Detention Center, where he would die a little over two weeks later.
According to ICE, Verganza’s death is currently under investigation, and an autopsy will determine the exact cause and manner of death. His family says he had no previous medical conditions and expressed feeling like they have been left in the dark on the circumstances surrounding his death.
Conditions At Otay Mesa Detention Center
Verganza’s death follows prior legal battles and county official-led public health inspections which raised concerns over the quality of medical care and conditions at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Back in May, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the California DOJ’s fifth report on the conditions at immigration detention facilities in the state. The following are just some of the key findings detailed in the report about the Otay Mesa Detention Center:
- “Otay Mesa has experienced surges in population. Arrivals of the detainees present on facility rosters at the time of Cal DOJ’s site visit to Otay Mesa peaked in July 2025, followed by September 2025, and August 2025. Detainees reported prolonged intake process times during which they experienced unsanitary conditions and inadequate food and water provisions”
- “Overcrowding at the facility impacts cleanliness of the housing units and puts a strain on the resources available for all detainees. For example, in at least some of the housing units, the number of available toilets per detainee was insufficient for the high number of detainees and did not comply with PBNDS standards.”
- “Detainees reported that the quantity and quality of food is inadequate at Otay Mesa, and that it is necessary to supplement meals with food purchased from the commissary.”
- “Cal DOJ’s medical expert found a case of tuberculosis with lapses in coordination and care planning with local public health authorities, increasing risk to the patient and to others at the facility.”
Others Who Have Died in ICE Custody in California
At least 30 people have reportedly died in ICE custody so far in 2026. This comes after ICE reported 33 deaths in 2025. At the time, that was the highest total reported in the last 20 years; this year is already projected to surpass that. Of those deaths, four of them, including Verganza’s, have taken place in the State of California. Here’s an overview of other people who have lost their lives in ICE custody in our State:
Luis Beltran Yañez-Cruz – Imperial Regional Detention Facility – Calexico, CA
Luis Beltran Yañez-Cruz was a 68-year-old undocumented immigrant from Honduras who had been living in the U.S. for over 26 years. He was arrested during a targeted ICE operation in New Jersey last November. On January 4 of this year, while under ICE custody at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico, California, Yañez was transferred to the medical unit after suffering chest pains. He was then taken to the El Centro Regional Medical Center, and later airlifted to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital to receive “a higher level of care”. Yañez was pronounced dead in the early hours of the morning on January 6, despite medical intervention. After his death, the man’s family said he complained of deteriorating health conditions during his detention.
Alberto Gutierrez Reyes – Adelanto ICE Processing Center – Adelanto, CA
Alberto Gutierrez Reyes was a 48-year-old Mexican man arrested on January 9 during immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles. While under ICE custody at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, California, on February 25th, Gutierrez reported feeling faint. He was admitted to the Victor Valley Global Medical Center for evaluation of the pain along with shortness of breath. Two days later, on the 27th, Gutierrez became unresponsive, and despite life-saving measures, he was declared dead early that morning. In a post to Facebook, one member of the Los Angeles City Council claimed Gutierrez died after being denied medical care.
Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano – Adelanto ICE Processing Center – Adelanto, CA
Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano was a 52-year old Mexican man also held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. He was first arrested and convicted for the possession of a controlled substance and theft of personal property in 2025. He was later arrested in early 2026 by ICE during a targeted law enforcement operation in Torrance, California. On March 25, Ramos was found unresponsive in his bunk. After attempts to save his life were unsuccessful, he was declared dead at 9:29 p.m. The cause of his death has yet to be determined.
