 custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia.){kind=link}
Mexico is seeking legal action and transparency after the death of a Mexican national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia.
Unresponsive in Cell, Declared Dead Hours Later
Jesús Molina-Veya, 45, was found unresponsive in his cell on June 7 with a ligature around his neck, according to ICE. Despite CPR efforts, he was transported to Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, where he was pronounced dead later that evening.
Consulate Officials Report Denied Access
Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has accused ICE of preventing its consular staff in Atlanta from speaking with detainees following Molina-Veya’s death. “The Consulate is analyzing the existing legal alternatives in this case,” the SRE stated, while also confirming communication with both ICE and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
President Sheinbaum Demands Full Investigation
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on June 13 that her administration has asked ICE for details on the conditions surrounding Molina-Veya’s death and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation. “We always seek to ensure respect for the human rights of Mexicans abroad,” she said.
ICE Cites Criminal History
In a June 11 statement, ICE noted that Molina-Veya had a long criminal record, including arrests for DUI, drug possession, and child molestation. He had been deported several times since 1999 and was most recently convicted in April following a February arrest.
Pattern of Deaths at Stewart Detention Center
Molina-Veya is the second Mexican national to die this year in connection with the Stewart facility. In May, Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado died while being transferred to the same center. The facility has faced growing criticism for alleged poor conditions and medical neglect.
Spike in ICE Deaths Raises Alarm
ICE has reported eight deaths in custody so far in 2025. That figure already accounts for 72% of all deaths in ICE custody reported in 2024, sparking renewed concern among immigrant rights advocates.
For more developments on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.