Mexican officials have asked for information after a Mexican national died this week at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Clayton, Georgia. The Mexican consulate in Atlanta says it is "closely monitoring" the case, maintaining permanent contact with ICE and seeking a prompt, transparent investigation. Officials plan to repatriate the person's remains; the consulate has not released a name. The development comes as ICE detention numbers have risen sharply and 2025 was reported as the deadliest year for detainees in two decades.
Mexico Seeks Answers After Mexican National Dies In ICE Custody At Georgia Detention Facility
Mexican officials are demanding details after a Mexican national died this week at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Clayton County, Georgia.
Mexico's consulate in Atlanta said Thursday it is "closely monitoring" the death and is in "permanent communication" with the ICE field office in Atlanta. The consulate asked that "the circumstances of the incident be clarified" and said it is "collaborating on the necessary procedures to ensure that the investigation is conducted promptly and transparently." Officials did not release the deceased person's name and said they plan to repatriate the remains to Mexico as soon as possible.
CBS News said it reached out to ICE and the consulate for comment. As of Thursday, U.S. federal officials had not issued a public statement about the case.
Context
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained markedly more people in recent years. Agency data show more than 68,000 adults were in ICE custody as of the end of December, compared with roughly 36,000 in December 2023. Officials say 2025 was the deadliest year for ICE detainees in two decades, with at least 30 deaths reported in detention facilities. Agency data also indicate that at least four people have died in ICE custody so far this year.
The incident comes amid heightened public scrutiny of immigration enforcement following the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Goodby, an immigration officer in Minneapolis, which has prompted protests nationwide.
What Officials Are Asking ForThe Mexican consulate has requested a clear account of what happened, urged a swift, transparent investigation and is working to ensure consular access and the timely repatriation of the deceased’s remains.
The consulate’s statement and broader reporting underline growing concerns about conditions and oversight in U.S. immigration detention facilities. Further details, including the identity of the deceased and the official cause of death, have not been released pending investigation.
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