A Venezuelan immigrant died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as he was being transferred between detention centers in Georgia, the agency said. The immigrant, identified as Jesús Manuel Arenas-Silva, 45, had been detained just four days before his death.

Background

Arenas-Silva first attempted to enter the United States through the San Luis Port of Entry in Arizona on Oct. 1, 2021, where he was deemed inadmissible. He later entered the country illegally on or about Oct. 11, 2021, near Calexico, California, where he was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol.

An immigration judge in Atlanta ordered his removal to Venezuela on April 27, 2026, and Arenas-Silva was arrested on July 9 during an immigration enforcement operation in Dallas, Georgia, according to ICE.

A person identified as Arenas-Silva’s sister said in a statement that his arrest was “traumatic” for the family and that they had begged ICE not to take him due to his medical needs.

Investigation

ICE said Arenas-Silva received medical care and was evaluated by healthcare professionals during his detention. The agency is investigating the cause of death, which is suspected to be cardiac arrest.

At least 52 people have died while in ICE custody since President Donald Trump’s inauguration through to June 4, 2026, according to a Human Rights Watch report.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.