ICE detainee death in Atlanta

ATLANTA — Jesus Molina-Veya, a 45-year-old citizen of Mexico in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was pronounced deceased by medical professionals at the Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus, at 6:42 p.m. on June 7. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Earlier that day a staff member observed detainees gathered around the door of Molina-Veya’s cell. Upon checking the cell, Molina-Veya’s body was discovered with a ligature around his neck and unconscious. The health services staff attempted to revive him and provide CPR until the paramedics arrived to transport him to the hospital.

Molina-Veya entered the U.S. without admission or parole on multiple occasions. On April 19, 1999, United States Border Patrol encountered him near San Ysidro, California, and removed him to Mexico on April 20, 1999. Molina-Veya re-entered the U.S. without admission or parole and was arrested multiple times for various offenses, including furnishing alcohol to minors, simple battery, DUI, drug possession, and driving without a valid license. He was repeatedly removed from the U.S. by USBP and Enforcement and Removal Operations Atlanta, with the last removal occurring on July 22, 2007. He continued to re-enter the U.S. unlawfully and faced numerous arrests and convictions, including for child molestation, hit and run, and possession of controlled substances. His most recent arrest was on Feb. 28, 2025, for probation violation and other offenses, leading to a conviction on April 3, 2025.

Consistent with ICE policy, ERO Atlanta notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center. ERO Atlanta provided telephone notification of Molina-Veya’s death to the Consulate of Mexico in Atlanta, Georgia.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media upon an official report of a detained illegal alien’s death and posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website within two business days per agency policy. This information may be accessed in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill of 2018 require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days.

These reports may be accessed on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.