Full Breakdown
Georgia Senators Demand Accountability for Deaths in ICE Custody
9/25/2025, 12:40:03 AM
Overview of Recent Deaths in ICE Detention
U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both Democrats from Georgia, have raised significant concerns regarding the deaths of two detainees at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, in 2025. Their letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons highlights a troubling trend, with 14 deaths reported nationwide in ICE custody this year, marking the highest number since 2020.
Details of the Incidents
The two fatalities involve 68-year-old Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado, who died on May 5 while being transported to Stewart, and 45-year-old Jesus Molina-Veya, who was found dead in his cell on June 7, with officials ruling his death a suicide. Both men were Mexican nationals, and their deaths have prompted the senators to question ICE's adherence to its own reporting guidelines, which require that deaths be reported within 48 hours. In these cases, ICE delayed announcements for three to four days.
Conditions at Stewart Detention Center
The senators' letter outlines a history of alleged mistreatment at the Stewart facility, including medical neglect, overcrowding, and inadequate mental health care. A 2017 report indicated that only one mental health provider was available for 1,800 detainees. Advocacy groups, such as Migrant Equity Southeast, have echoed these concerns, citing poor medical attention and inadequate food as common issues within the facility.
Official Responses and Investigations
In response to the senators' inquiries, ICE stated that all in-custody deaths are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. Acting Director Todd Lyons emphasized the agency's commitment to transparency regarding death reporting. However, Ossoff and Warnock criticized ICE for failing to meet its own standards, which they argue hinders congressional oversight and leaves families uninformed about their loved ones' fates.
Criticism and Opposition
Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter has defended the Trump administration's handling of ICE facilities, labeling the senators' claims as misleading. He asserted that the administration prioritizes safety and has toured the Folkston ICE Processing Center, which is also under scrutiny for similar issues. Critics argue that the administration's focus on expanding detention facilities and increasing arrests has exacerbated the conditions leading to these fatalities.
What's Next
Ossoff and Warnock have requested a comprehensive response from DHS and ICE by October 31, detailing the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Avellaneda-Delgado and Molina-Veya, as well as outlining plans to prevent future fatalities in ICE custody. The ongoing scrutiny of ICE facilities and the rising death toll underscore the urgent need for reform in the immigration detention system.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We write with serious alarm regarding the rise in the number of deaths in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody nationwide… We request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE immediately provide information about these individuals’ deaths and about the plan to prevent further fatalities.” — Jon Ossoff, U.S. Senator
- “ICE is dedicated to transparency.” — Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director
- “We’re talking about 14 families that were affected by this.” — Eduardo Delgado, Migrant Equity Southeast
- “All in-custody deaths are tragic, taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated by law enforcement.” — ICE Spokesperson
