ICE detainee passes away at Victorville medical center

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – A Mexican national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away late Thursday at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville due to internal bleeding.

Sergio Alonso Lopez was transferred to the hospital from the Adelanto Detention Facility April 1 after he vomited blood. The 55-year-old had a history of serious medical issues, including cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, alcohol abuse and opioid dependence with withdrawal symptoms. The preliminary cause of death is internal bleeding.

Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been notified about the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. Additionally, ICE has advised Mexican consular representatives who will notify Mr. Lopez’s next of kin.

Mr. Lopez had been in ICE custody since Feb. 7 following his arrest in the Los Angeles area by an ICE Fugitive Operations Team. His removal case was pending before the immigration courts at the time of his death.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases indicate Mr. Lopez had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1981, including past convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, felony burglary and felony drug possession. According to DHS databases, Mr. Lopez had been deported to Mexico three times since 1994, most recently in 2001.

Mr. Lopez is the sixth detainee to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2017.