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Southern California Lawmakers Demand Answers Over Rising ICE Custody Deaths
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Southern California lawmakers are demanding answers from U.S. Homeland Security officials following the deaths of two Orange County residents and nearly two dozen others while in federal immigration custody.
Record Number of In-Custody Deaths
In a letter dated November 21, 2025, to Homeland security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Reps. Dave Min (D-Irvine) and Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) highlighted the deaths of 25 people so far this year while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This represents an annual record for in-custody deaths since the agency began tracking such data in 2018.
orange County Residents Among the Deceased
Two Mexican immigrants, long-time orange County residents, were among those who died while held at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center north of Hesperia. The lawmakers emphasized that these deaths are not simply statistics, but represent individuals with families, jobs, and aspirations.
“These are not just numbers on a website, but real people – with families, jobs, and hopes and dreams – each of whom died in ICE custody,” the lawmakers wrote. “The following cases illustrate systemic patterns of delayed treatment, neglect, and failure to properly notify families.”
Specific Cases Highlight Systemic Issues
Ismael Ayala-Uribe,39,died on September 22,approximately a month after being apprehended while working at the Fountain Valley Auto Wash,where he had been employed for 15 years,according to the Los Angeles Times. Ayala-Uribe, a former DACA recipient, had been hospitalized before his death.
Another orange County resident, Jose gutierrez,58,died October 14 after being detained at the Adelanto facility. Gutierrez had lived in Orange County for two decades and was a father of four. His family alleges a lack of timely medical care contributed to his death, as reported by the Orange County Register.
Lawmakers demand Clarity and Accountability
The representatives are requesting a extensive briefing from Homeland Security on the circumstances surrounding these deaths, as well as a detailed review of ICES medical care protocols and oversight mechanisms. They are also seeking information on the agency’s efforts to notify families of detainees who die in custody.
Key Takeaways
- The number of deaths in ICE custody has reached a record high in 2025.
- Two Orange County residents are among the 25 individuals who died while in ICE custody this year.
- Lawmakers are raising concerns about systemic issues, including delayed medical care and inadequate family notification.
- Reps. Min and Chu have requested a briefing from Homeland Security and a review of ICE’s policies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is ICE?
- ICE stands for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is a