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 suicide suspected as the cause. The deceased was identified as Denny Adan Gonzalez, who had been detained after re-entering the U.S. illegally following a previous deportation.
- Denny Adan Gonzalez, 33, died in ICE custody at Stewart Detention Center
- Suspected cause of death is suicide; investigation ongoing
- Fourth suicide at this facility in recent years
- 18th detainee death in ICE custody this year alone
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 2022 and was released with an order of supervision. He was later 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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