A Cuban immigrant died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia on April 28, with authorities suspecting suicide as the cause of death.
Key Takeaways
A Cuban immigrant died in ICE custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia on April 28, with authorities suspecting suicide as the cause of death. Denny Adan Gonzalez, a 33-year-old man, was found unresponsive in his cell and pronounced dead less than an hour later.
- Denny Adan Gonzalez died in ICE custody at Stewart Detention Center in Georgia
- Authorities suspect suicide as the cause of death
- This is the fourth suicide at Stewart Detention Center in recent years
- 18 detainee deaths have occurred this year, putting ICE on track for a new record
- ICE's detention population has grown significantly under President Trump's administration
Source Claims Check
High Consensus| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause Of Death | Broad Agreement | suspected suicide under investigation | |
| Date Of Death | Broad Agreement | April 28, 2026 | |
| Detainee Deaths This Year | Broad Agreement | 18 detainee deaths in ICE custody this year | |
| Ice Detention Population Peak | Broad Agreement | Over 70,000 people earlier this year |
The deceased was identified as Denny Adan Gonzalez, a 33-year-old man who was found unresponsive in his cell and pronounced dead less than an hour later. According to ICE's notice to lawmakers, Gonzalez entered the U.S. at a Texas port of entry in May 2019 but was deemed inadmissible and deported in January 2020.
Gonzalez re-entered the country illegally in April 2022 and was released with an order of supervision. He reported to ICE in Charlotte until September 2025, when he was arrested by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office for assault on a female and domestic violence, leading to his transfer to Stewart Detention Center in January 2026.
The detention center is operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company. Ryan Gustin, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, stated that medical staff responded promptly and initiated lifesaving measures upon discovering Gonzalez unresponsive. The death marks the fourth suicide at Stewart Detention Center in recent years.
The incident comes amid an increase in ICE detainee deaths under President Donald Trump's administration. This year alone, there have been 18 deaths in ICE custody, putting the agency on track to record a new all-time high if the trend continues. Last year recorded 31 detainee deaths, nearly surpassing the previous high of 32 set in 2004.
ICE's detention population has grown significantly under Trump's administration, peaking at over 70,000 people earlier this year before decreasing to around 60,000 last month. The increased detentions have coincided with reports of substandard conditions in facilities nationwide, including overcrowding and inadequate medical care.
ICE has consistently denied allegations of poor conditions, stating that it is committed to ensuring safe, secure, and humane environments for all those in custody. The agency maintains that comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive throughout their stay.
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