Nepali national in ICE custody dies

SAN ANTONIO – A Nepali national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away at the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center (KCIPC) in Karnes City, Texas, Nov. 13. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

Subash Shrestha, 34, a citizen of Nepal, entered the United States at or near Lukeville, Arizona without inspection, admission or parole by an immigration official on Sept. 2, 2023. U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) served him with a Notice and Order of Expedited Removal charging him with inadmissibility pursuant to Section 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as an intended immigrant without an immigrant visa.

On Sept. 9, USBP transferred Shrestha to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Antonio. He was detained at KCIPC where he continued his immigration proceedings.

On Nov. 13, ERO was notified of an unresponsive detainee. Following medical assistance, Shrestha was pronounced deceased.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.

Additionally, ICE notified the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C., of Shrestha’s passing. ERO San Antonio staff notified next of kin.

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, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained noncitizen denied emergent care.

Upon an official report of a detained noncitizen death, ICE ERO makes official notifications to Congress, non-governmental organization stakeholders, and the media and posts a news release with relevant details on the public website within two business days, per agency policy. This information may be accessed via the ICE Newsroom. Additionally, Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill (2018) require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed via ICE's Detainee Death Reporting web page.