DHS Moves to Deport Men Who Reported ICE Detainee Death

The Department of Homeland Security is working to deport two men who said they saw ICE guards choke a fellow detainee to death at a facility in El Paso, Texas. The men spoke out about the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old father held at the Camp East Montana detention site at Fort Bliss. This move by DHS comes as questions grow over conditions in immigration detention and a spike in deaths last year.

Background

Geraldo Lunas Campos died weeks ago at the ICE facility in El Paso. ICE first said staff found him in distress and he passed away after medical help failed. But witnesses, including the two men now facing deportation, gave a different account to reporters. They said they saw guards choke Campos during an incident at the camp.

The camp, known as Camp East Montana, sits on the Fort Bliss military base. It holds hundreds of immigrants awaiting deportation or asylum decisions. Advocacy groups have long raised alarms about conditions there, from poor medical care to reports of rough treatment by staff. Last year saw 32 deaths in ICE custody, the most in nearly 20 years. That number includes cases across Texas and other states, often tied to health issues or fights in cells.

Campos, from Mexico, had been detained for months. Family members say he was a working father with no criminal record. His death drew vigils in downtown El Paso, where people lit candles and called for change. Groups like the ACLU point to this as part of a pattern. They note other deaths, like a man in Rochester who died after arrest, and cases in Georgia and Louisiana where detainees were found unresponsive.

ICE runs these facilities under DHS. The agency says it follows strict rules for health checks and use of force. But reports from inside show gaps. Detainees often wait weeks for doctors, and some cells hold dozens in tight spaces. The two men at the center of this story shared a pod with Campos. They come from Central America and entered the U.S. seeking safety. After talking to the press, ICE moved them and started removal proceedings.

Key Details

The two men gave matching stories. One said he saw guards pin Campos down and apply pressure to his neck after he argued with staff. The other backed it up, saying Campos gasped for air before going still. A medical examiner's report now points to asphyxiation, or lack of oxygen, as the likely cause. That could turn the death into a homicide case.

Witness Accounts and DHS Response

DHS confirmed it is seeking to deport the men. Officials say they broke rules by speaking to media and that their claims lack proof. ICE records show Campos was checked by medics that day, but no mention of a fight. The men were separated right after and sent to different sites. One is now in Louisiana, the other in California.

Lawyers for the men say deportation is retaliation. They filed papers to block it, arguing the men have a right to report abuse. Court hearings are set for next week in Texas. Meanwhile, the FBI is looking into the death, as is standard for custody cases.

"The death of Geraldo Lunas Campos is the latest in a string of preventable deaths by ICE." – Haddy Gassama, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union

Advocates held a vigil in El Paso last weekend. About 100 people gathered, many holding signs with Campos' photo. Speakers from local groups talked about other deaths, like Tien Xuan Phan in Texas last summer and Jesus Molina-Veya in Georgia. Those cases involved hospital transfers after cell issues. Patterns emerge: many detainees had health problems before entering custody.

ICE data shows most deaths tie to heart issues or drugs, but witnesses often claim neglect or force. In 2025, Texas facilities reported eight deaths alone. Camp East Montana opened during a border surge two years ago. It was meant as a short-term site but now holds people long-term.

What This Means

Pushing out the witnesses raises questions about openness in detention centers. If their stories hold, it could lead to charges against guards and big changes at the camp. The ACLU and others want Congress to close Camp East Montana, saying oversight is too weak. They call for more cameras in cells and outside reviews of all deaths.

For families like Campos', answers stay out of reach. His wife waits in Mexico for his body and any justice. Deporting the men might silence others from speaking. Immigrant groups worry it chills reports of abuse. DHS says it protects national security by speeding removals, but critics see it as dodging blame.

Broader trends show strain on the system. Border crossings hit records last year, filling camps to capacity. Budgets for ICE top billions, yet deaths climb. Lawmakers in Washington debate fixes, from more beds to faster courts. Texas leaders back tougher enforcement, while rights groups push release for low-risk detainees.

The case tests rules on free speech for non-citizens. Courts have ruled before that detainees can report wrongs without fear. If deportation goes ahead, it sets a signal: speak up, face consequences. Investigations continue, with the medical report key. Results could spark lawsuits or policy shifts. Families watch, hoping for truth amid the push to move on.