> At a Glance
> – Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, 68, died Tuesday in ICE custody after hospitalization for heart-related issues
> – He was detained in November during a New Jersey immigration operation
> – Why it matters: Death highlights medical care concerns for aging detainees in U.S. immigration facilities
A 68-year-old Honduran national became the latest detainee death in U.S. immigration custody after suffering cardiac complications earlier this month. Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz passed away at 1:18 a.m. on January 6 while under ICE supervision, according to agency officials.
Medical Emergency Timeline
Staff at Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico noticed Yanez-Cruz needed urgent care. The sequence unfolded rapidly:
- January 4: Taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center for chest pain
- Same day: Airlifted to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio for advanced treatment
- January 6: Pronounced dead after heart-related complications
Immigration History
ICE records show Yanez-Cruz had a decades-long immigration history:
- 1993: First arrested by Border Patrol in Texas for illegal entry
- 1999-2012: Filed multiple temporary protected status applications-all denied
- November 16, 2025: Detained during immigration operation in Newark, New Jersey
The agency stated he had “entered without inspection, admission or parole” on his final crossing.
Notification & Response
ICE protocol requires consulate notification for foreign national deaths.
Agency officials confirmed they alerted the Honduran Consulate in Los Angeles about Yanez-Cruz’s death.
Key Takeaways
- 68-year-old Honduran detainee died after cardiac emergency in ICE custody
- Death occurred at Indio hospital following transfer from Calexico facility
- ICE has notified Honduran consular officials as required by international agreements
- Case adds to ongoing scrutiny of medical care standards in immigration detention
The incident marks another detainee death raising questions about healthcare access for vulnerable populations in immigration custody.
