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Mexican national dies in ICE custody

Juan Garcia-Hernandez, a 39-year-old Mexican national, died while in immigration custody at Florence Hospital in Arizona.  

Garcia-Hernandez had been in custody since August 27, following the expiration of his stay of removal, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Hospital workers attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful.  

The Board of Immigration Appeals gave him a voluntary departure on in March 2014, which required him to leave the U.S. within two months.  Garcia-Hernandez did not leave, prompting ICE to grant him a one-year stay of removal in June 2014.  

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At the time of his death, Garcia-Hernandez was awaiting repatriation to Mexico.  The Mexican Consulate has been notified of his death.  

He is the seventh person in ICE custody to die in 2015.  

Jose Deniz-Sahagun, another Mexican National, had attempted to illegally cross the border with the United States on May 15.  Deniz-Sahagun had tried to enter through Douglas, Arizona but had been caught by Border Patrol.  

While awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge, regarding the possibility of his deportation, Deniz-Sahagun committed suicide.  

According to the Arizona Republic, five suicides have been committed at the Eloy facility.  ICE has claimed there to be 14 deaths at the Eloy center, since 2003.  Two suicides took place in 2013 and another person died of asphyxia at the Pinal County jail in 2008.  

 

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