Death in ICE Custody Raises Concerns Over Treatment at Fort Bliss

Francisco Gaspar-Andrés, a 48-year-old Guatemalan man, became the first individual to die in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Fort Bliss army base in Texas. He passed away on December 3, 2025, at a hospital in El Paso, following a decline in health attributed to complications from alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis. His wife, Lucía Pedro Juan, was deported from the same facility just days before his death, without the opportunity to see him. The couple had lived in the United States for over 18 years before being detained during a traffic stop in Florida in September 2025.

The Guardian

ICE reported that Gaspar-Andrés had been experiencing a range of medical issues during his ten weeks in custody, including flu-like symptoms and jaundice. Despite this, he was only transferred to a hospital when his condition became critical. Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who represents the district including Fort Bliss, has voiced concerns about the conditions at Camp East Montana, where Gaspar-Andrés was held. In a letter dated December 9, she criticized the facility for its alleged inhumane conditions, including inadequate medical care and poor living conditions.

The Guardian

Escobar stated, “ICE’s negligence has led to the first known death in custody at the facility,” emphasizing that detainees had reported ongoing issues such as rotten food and lack of access to necessary medications. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also raised alarms about medical neglect at the facility, suggesting that the pattern of care could lead to further tragedies.

The Guardian

ICE has maintained that Gaspar-Andrés received “constant, high-quality medical care,” and attributed his death to natural causes related to his pre-existing health conditions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dismissed allegations of inhumane treatment as “categorically false.” However, the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Guardian

Escobar's ongoing advocacy has included legal actions aimed at ensuring oversight of ICE facilities, particularly in light of the increasing number of detainees and reported abuses. She has expressed frustration over the lack of responsiveness from DHS officials regarding her inquiries about the conditions at Fort Bliss.

The Guardian

Gaspar-Andrés's death has sparked renewed scrutiny of the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have led to a significant increase in ICE detentions and deportations. Critics argue that the administration's approach has resulted in a system that prioritizes enforcement over humane treatment, contributing to a rise in reported abuses and neglect within detention facilities.

The Guardian

As the situation unfolds, advocates for immigrant rights continue to call for reforms to ensure that detainees receive appropriate medical care and are treated with dignity. The tragic case of Francisco Gaspar-Andrés serves as a stark reminder of the human cost associated with current immigration enforcement practices in the United States.

The Guardian

• “I never saw him again, I never spoke to him or heard his voice again. It’s something terrible they did to us,” — Lucía Pedro Juan, Widow of Francisco Gaspar-Andrés

The Guardian

• “Despite claims from DHS about the inhumane, abhorrent conditions at facilities like Camp East Montana being ‘categorically false,’ my own visits and discussions with detainees prove otherwise.” — Veronica Escobar, U.S. Congresswoman

The Guardian

• “This raises serious concerns about whether Fort Bliss facility is on the brink of an additional death, especially with the pattern of medical neglect and no hospital visits that the detained people that we have spoken to have described to us,” — Savannah Kumar, ACLU of Texas

The Guardian

• “On December 3, Francisco Gaspar-Andrés, died of natural causes related to alcoholic hepatic liver cirrhosis at the Hospitals of Providence East. ICE medical staff ensured he had constant, high-quality medical care.” — DHS spokesperson

The Guardian

There are discrepancies regarding the timeline and quality of medical care provided to Gaspar-Andrés. While ICE claims he received adequate care, advocates and officials like Escobar argue that the conditions and treatment were insufficient, leading to his death. The Guatemalan government has also called for an investigation, indicating a lack of clarity surrounding the circumstances of his health decline and subsequent death.

The Guardian