April 13 (UPI) — A 49-year-old Mexican man died in U.S. immigration custody late last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said, becoming the 16th person to die in ICE custody this year.
Deaths in federal immigration custody have surged during the second term of President Donald Trump and his aggressive immigration crackdown.
Alejandro Cabrera Clemente died on Saturday at Winn Parish Medical Center, located about 13 miles northeast of the Winn Correctional Center where he was detained in central Louisiana.
According to an ICE press release on Monday, Cabrera was found Saturday unresponsive by staff at Winn Correctional Center, who initiated emergency measures before he was transported to the Winn medical center where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of death was not stated.
Federal immigration officials said Cabrera was arrested by ICE agents on Jan. 8 in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was transferred to Winn Correctional Center on Jan. 13 and was eld pending removal proceedings.
ICE said he entered the United States more than 25 years ago and has a criminal history of disorderly conduct, drug possession and prohibition violations as well as an arrest for domestic violence.
An analysis of ICE statistics and press releases shows that Cabrera is the 16th migrant to die in ICE custody this year, putting 2026 on pace to surpass the record 33 reached last year.
Based on ICE’s public death-reporting page and 2026 ICE reports, nearly 50 people have died in ICE custody during the first nearly 15 months of the second Trump administration, far exceeding the roughly two dozen detainee deaths reported during all four years of the previous Biden administration.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said she was informed of Cabrera’s death on Monday.
“We must stand up and demand real accountability — ICE has a duty to provide care to those in their custody,” she said in a social media statement.
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