Honduran father died in ICE custody in California. His family wants an investigation
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
A Honduran man who lived and worked in the U.S.for 26 years died after being held at a California immigration detention facility for more than a month, and his family is calling for an investigation, saying he complained of deteriorating health conditions before his death.Luis Beltrán Yanez-Cruz, 68, died on Jan.
6 at 1:18 a.m.at the John F.
Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio after suffering from heart-related health issues, according to U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
He was being held at the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico before he was transferred to the hospital.Federal officials said Yanez-Cruz was “encountered” during a Nov.16 enforcement operation in Newark, N.J., but he was not the target of the operation, his daughter said.
He was put into removal proceedings, which were pending at the time of his death.His daughter, Josselyn Yanez, blames ICE for not taking his health concerns seriously and not providing medical attention as his health deteriorated.In a statement, ICE said Yanez-Cruz was put in the detention facility’s medical unit for chest pains before being sent to El Centro Regional Medical Center.
He was then transported by helicopter to Indio.“There needs to be an investigation because this is not normal,” Yanez said.
“He started having symptoms weeks ago; they could have done something.”In response to the family’s claims, a Homeland Security official said in a statement, “ICE has higher detention standards than most US prisons that hold actual US citizens.All detainees are provided with 3 meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, and toiletries, and have access to phones to communicate with their family members and lawyers.”Last September another detainee at the facility died after experiencing a seizure at the facility, ICE officials said.
As for Yanez-Cruz, officials said he illegall...