WORLD.- A Mexicanunder arrest in a controversial center immigration detention in Washington State, died last sundayThe organization La Resistencia denounced this Wednesday.
Tacoma Police Department confirmed the death of the immigrant which was in medical isolation at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), which operates under the jurisdiction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Although the man was not identified, detained immigrants confirmed to the organization that he was a Mexican.
Deaths in immigration jail
The death marks the fourth death of an immigrant inside this detention center, after those of José Cervantes Corona (in 2006), Mergansana Amar (in 2018) and, more recently, Charles Leo Daniel (2024).
Daniel died on March 7, after spending the last four years of his life in solitary confinement at NWDC, the organization stressed in a statement.
The NWDC has been in the sights of organizations due to allegations of subjecting immigrants to isolation, lack of food and clean clothing, retaliatory measures and medical negligence.
Maru Mora Villalpando, director of La Resistencia, said in a statement that, after constant complaints, the activists demand a transparent investigation and they reject out of hand the notion that there can be a “natural death” in detention.
The organization has also been documenting the transfer of detainees from southern border states. This Wednesday they transferred a group of 48 detainees from Phoenix to this center this Wednesday.
The group, made up of 32 women and 16 men, is the largest that the group’s flight observation team has witnessed since May 2023, the statement highlighted.
Read: Colombian consul in Mexico investigated for fraud and workplace harassment
Related
#Mexican #dies #detained #immigration #jail #Washington
**Interview with Rosa Martinez, Advocacy Director of La Resistencia**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Rosa. La Resistencia has raised concerns following the death of a Mexican immigrant at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. Can you provide us with more details about this incident?
**Rosa Martinez:** Thank you for having me. The tragic incident occurred last Sunday, when a man, who was in medical isolation, died at the detention center. His identity has not been disclosed yet, but we know he was part of a system that has been criticized for its treatment of detainees.
**Editor:** What specific concerns does La Resistencia have regarding the conditions in immigration detention centers?
**Rosa Martinez:** We have long highlighted the harsh conditions and lack of adequate medical care in these facilities. Being in medical isolation implies that he was unwell, yet there seems to be a severe lack of attention given to the health and safety of detainees. This death is not an isolated incident; it reflects systemic issues within ICE and its detention practices.
**Editor:** Has La Resistencia taken any action or planned any responses in light of this tragic event?
**Rosa Martinez:** Yes, we are actively advocating for accountability and transparency. We plan to hold a series of protests and community meetings to raise awareness about the inhumane conditions in detention centers. Additionally, we are calling on local authorities and elected officials to take action to ensure such tragedies don’t happen again.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Rosa. It’s an important issue that merits ongoing attention.
**Rosa Martinez:** Thank you for bringing it to light. We appreciate your support in amplifying this critical conversation.
