Death in Custody

Bulgarian Man Dies in ICE Custody at Michigan Facility

Nenko Gantchev, a 56-year-old Bulgarian, died in detention at the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan, the largest ICE facility in the Midwest, marking the first death at the facility. Congressional sources reported the death, which occurred during a year with a record high number of deaths in ICE custody. Concerns regarding Gantchev’s death, including potential medical neglect and inhumane conditions, have been raised by U.S. representatives and advocates, prompting calls for a transparent investigation. The facility is owned and operated by GEO Group, a private prison company, and opened in June, holding a record number of detainees, many of whom have no criminal convictions.

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Family Speaks Out After Deportation of Man in Vegetative State, Blames ICE

Following the death of Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel, who was deported to Costa Rica in a vegetative state after being detained by US immigration authorities, his family has accused the US of negligence. A spokesperson for the Trump administration, however, maintained that the medical treatment provided to Gamboa was sufficient, citing his illegal re-entry into the US. Gamboa, who was initially held in Texas detention centers before being hospitalized and eventually deported, died in Costa Rica on October 26th. Former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias has condemned the treatment Gamboa received, while the Trump administration has reiterated its focus on consequences for those who break the law.

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Landlord Who Murdered Boy in Hate Crime Dies in Prison

Joseph Czuba, the landlord convicted of murdering a Palestinian American child and attempting to murder his mother, has died while in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Czuba, sentenced to 53 years in prison three months prior, was found guilty of hate-crime charges and targeting the victims due to their Islamic faith and in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The attack, which occurred in October 2023, involved Czuba stabbing the child multiple times and was preceded by the mother’s testimony. This tragedy has stirred great concern in the Palestinian community.

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