The tragic death of a 48-year-old man while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in San Bernardino County, California, has reignited serious concerns about inadequate treatment and insufficient medical care within immigration detention facilities nationwide. Alberto Gutierrez Reyes, originally from Mexico, had resided in Los Angeles' Westlake neighborhood for over two decades before his detention, according to reports from Univision.
Timeline of Events and Family's Anguish
Gutierrez Reyes was arrested on January 9 and subsequently held at the Adelanto detention center. On February 25, ICE officials transported him to Victor Valley Global Medical Center for evaluation after he complained of chest pain and shortness of breath. Despite this intervention, he passed away in the early hours of February 27, around 1 a.m.
His wife, Patricia Martinez, has publicly mourned her husband's loss, speaking to multiple news outlets about what she describes as systemic neglect. She emphasized that Gutierrez Reyes suffered from pre-existing health conditions, including diabetes and high cholesterol, which she claims were not properly managed by the detention center.
"We haven't seen his body, we haven't seen anything," Martinez stated in Spanish during an interview with Univision at a memorial service. She has called for justice, recounting disturbing details from her son's visits. "He would say that he wasn't feeling well. When my son went to see him Sunday—my son goes every Sunday—he would tell me, 'Mom, dad's skin is yellow. His face is yellow.' Last week, the Sunday before, he told me, 'Mom, his eyes are yellow,'" she told ABC7.
Political and Official Responses
Los Angeles City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents Westlake and other areas in District 1, has placed blame squarely on ICE and the Trump administration for Gutierrez Reyes' death. In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, she wrote: "The Trump administration does not value human life. They are using our federal tax dollars to bankroll detention and a deadly deportation machine instead of funding healthcare, food, housing, education, and the systems that actually keep people alive."
Hernandez further argued that the system is fundamentally flawed, stating: "A system rooted in white supremacy and designed to cage, torture, neglect, and dehumanize human beings cannot be reformed. It must be abolished."
ICE's Defense and Counterclaims
In a press release, ICE denied any wrongdoing and outlined its medical care protocols. The agency asserted that comprehensive medical care is provided from arrival, including screenings within 12 hours, full health assessments within 14 days, access to appointments, and 24-hour emergency care. "At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care. This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives," the statement claimed.
ICE also noted that Gutierrez Reyes had a prior legal issue, mentioning he was sentenced to diversion in 2010 following accusations of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
Broader Implications and Legal Actions
Hernandez responded to ICE's defense in an interview with HuffPost on Wednesday, stressing that the health and safety of detained individuals fall under federal responsibility. "ICE can deny wrongdoing, but the reality remains the same: Alberto Gutierrez Reyes died while in their custody. This is now the ninth known death in ICE custody this year. That pattern alone demands scrutiny," she said.
She added, "Regardless of immigration status or any allegations ICE may raise, Adelanto Detention Center does not get to decide who lives and who dies. A human being died on their watch, and Alberto's family and the public deserve answers."
The case has drawn international attention, with Mexico's Office of Foreign Affairs issuing a statement on March 1 demanding an immediate and thorough investigation into the conditions that led to the death of Mexican nationals in ICE custody. The office seeks to determine responsibilities and prevent future recurrences.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of grievances against the Adelanto facility. In January, a group of detainees filed a class action lawsuit against the center, citing complaints such as the lack of adequate medical care. HuffPost attempted to contact ICE and GEO Group, the operator of ICE centers, for additional comments but did not receive an immediate response.
The death of Alberto Gutierrez Reyes underscores ongoing debates about immigration enforcement practices and highlights the urgent need for transparency and reform in detention facilities to ensure the well-being of all individuals in custody.
