AURORA, Colorado (AP) – A recent report has revealed disturbing findings about the death of an immigrant in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Aurora ICE Processing Center in Colorado. The report found that the facility failed to meet multiple health standards intended to protect detainees, raising concerns about the treatment of immigrants in ICE detention centers.
The death of Melvin Ariel Calero-Mendoza, a 39-year-old man from Nicaragua seeking asylum in the U.S., occurred on October 13, 2022. An investigation into his death revealed that ICE had failed to complete a required health assessment on time and ignored an abnormally high blood-pressure reading, potentially missing the signs of a fatal blood clot. Despite the completion of the investigation over seven months ago, ICE had initially refused to release its report, but pressure from members of Congress, immigration lawyers, and media organizations ultimately led to its release.
While the investigation does not attribute Calero-Mendoza’s death to the failures identified, it does raise serious questions about the conditions in ICE detention centers, particularly as the Biden administration is seeing an increase in border crossings and the subsequent rise in migrant detentions. The government’s own inspectors have found “barbaric” and “negligent” conditions in ICE detention, further fueling concerns about the treatment of immigrants in the country’s immigration system.
The inadequate medical care provided to Calero-Mendoza is a matter of concern, as he had reported severe pain in his legs and feet multiple times before his sudden collapse and death. The medical staff at the facility, however, was primarily composed of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) rather than doctors, leading to questions about the level of care provided in ICE detention centers.
The investigation also highlighted critical lapses in the response to Calero-Mendoza’s medical emergency, including the failure to recognize and treat potential life-threatening conditions. Additionally, the omissions and delays in the investigative report, including a 911 call made after Calero-Mendoza’s collapse, add to the concerns about the thoroughness and transparency of ICE’s review process.
In response to the report and its findings, ICE emphasized that all detainees receive an initial health screening within 12 hours and a full health assessment within 14 days of arrival at a detention facility. However, the review of Calero-Mendoza’s death contradicted these claims, amplifying the discrepancies between ICE’s stated practices and the actual conditions in its facilities.
The death of Calero-Mendoza and the subsequent investigation have brought renewed attention to the Aurora ICE Processing Center, which is operated by the for-profit government contractor, the GEO Group. Calero-Mendoza’s family, alongside attorneys and lawmakers, have been fighting for the release of the report and seeking accountability for the inadequate care that led to his death.
As the investigation sheds light on the deficiencies in ICE detention, it underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and reforms within the immigration detention system. With the increase in migrant detentions and the ongoing debate about the treatment of immigrants, it is crucial to address the systemic issues that have led to tragic outcomes like Calero-Mendoza’s death.
In conclusion, the investigation into Melvin Ariel Calero-Mendoza’s death in ICE custody highlights the significant failures in the treatment of immigrants in detention centers, raising questions about the efficacy and adherence to health standards. The systematic discrepancies between ICE’s policies and actual practices underscore the need for comprehensive reforms and greater oversight to ensure the well-being and safety of detainees in immigration facilities.