ICE detainee passes away at Texas hospital

EL PASO, Texas — A Mexican national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) died from apparent complications of pneumonia Thursday at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso.

Rafael Barcenas-Padilla, 50, had been hospitalized since March 16 when he was admitted for treatment of possible pneumonia. He was treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit where he received constant monitoring.

At about 10:30 p.m. April 7, Del Sol Medical Center medical staff declared Barcenas-Padilla deceased.

Consistent with ICE policy, the Mexican consular staff was notified of Barcenas-Padilla’s death; also notified were the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility. Mexican consular officials have notified his next of kin.

Barcenas-Padilla had been in ICE custody since March 1 when he illegally entered the United States near Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

Barcenas-Padilla had illegally entered the United States at least four times since 1996.  He had previously been convicted of petty theft and had been arrested for driving under the influence and possessing a controlled substance.

On March 9, 2016, Mexican consular staff and Mexican immigration officials interviewed him, and he was in the process of being scheduled to be removed to Mexico.

Barcenas-Padilla is the fourth detainee to pass away in ICE custody since Oct. 1, 2015.