Mexico reports that 13 Mexicans have died in a year in the U.S. under ICE custody or during immigration raids - France 24

Key Takeaways

• It has been reported that Mexican authorities say 13 Mexican nationals died in the past year in the United States while in ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody or during immigration raids.
• Mexico allegedly has requested investigations, consular access and explanations from U.S. authorities; the claim has not been independently verified in all cases.
• The deaths raise longstanding concerns about conditions in immigration detention, oversight of enforcement operations, and the human cost for migrants, including asylum seekers and undocumented people.
• Affected families can seek consular help, file complaints, and pursue legal remedies; advocates call for transparent investigations by DHS oversight offices.

Contexto

It has been reported that Mexico’s government publicly denounced that 13 Mexican nationals died over the last year in situations linked to U.S. immigration enforcement — either while detained by ICE or during enforcement raids. ICE is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency responsible for civil immigration enforcement inside the United States; "custody" typically refers to detention in ICE facilities, in local jails under ICE contract, or while being transported. The Mexican claim touches on both deaths occurring in detention settings and fatalities during on-site enforcement operations.

Qué reclama México y qué está en juego

Allegedly, Mexican authorities have asked U.S. counterparts for investigations, full information on the circumstances of each death, and access to consular services for detained nationals. Consular access is a key right for foreign nationals who are arrested or detained: Mexican consulates can assist families, provide lists of lawyers, and monitor conditions, but such requests do not by themselves change an individual’s immigration status. These allegations — if confirmed — would deepen concerns among migrants and advocates about medical care, use of force, oversight of detention facilities, and transparency from ICE and DHS.

Qué significa para migrantes y próximos pasos

For people currently in the immigration system, the story underscores the importance of knowing rights: if detained, ask explicitly for consular notification and keep trusted contacts informed. Families and lawyers may pursue civil claims, administrative complaints to DHS oversight bodies (for example, the DHS Office of Inspector General), and demand transparency. Advocates say improved monitoring, independent investigations, and policy changes to reduce reliance on detention are needed to prevent more tragedies. It has been reported that Mexico may continue to press Washington for answers; how U.S. agencies respond could affect diplomatic relations and practices around detention and enforcement.

Source: Original Article