What Happened to Geraldo Lunas Campos? Death in ICE Custody Ruled a Homicide
Quick Summary
The death of 55-year-old Cuban immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos at the Camp East Montana immigration facility in Texas has been officially ruled a homicide by the El Paso County medical examiner, who determined the cause was "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression." This finding has intensified scrutiny of the incident, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously reported that Campos died after "experiencing medical distress" when he became disruptive and was moved to segregation. In response to the autopsy, the Campos family's attorneys secured an emergency court order to prevent the deportation of two potential eyewitnesses who allegedly saw guards choke and asphyxiate him, with the intent of gathering their formal testimony. Campos's death marks the third at the facility, which opened last year. He had been detained since July following an immigration enforcement action and had a prior criminal history, including convictions for sexual contact with a minor and criminal possession of a weapon.
An autopsy has officially ruled the death of a Cuban immigrant at a Texas immigration facility a homicide. According to the El Paso County medical examiner, 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos died from...
An autopsy has officially ruled the death of a Cuban immigrant at a Texas immigration facility a homicide. According to the El Paso County medical examiner, 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos died from "asphyxia due to neck and torso compression." The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously announced his death on January 3rd at the Camp East Montana detention center.
This finding has intensified the focus on Campos's final moments. In response, the Campos family's attorneys filed an emergency petition to prevent the deportation of two potential witnesses to his death. A federal judge granted the request, noting reports that guards at the facility had allegedly choked and asphyxiated Campos. The family's legal team says they plan to get formal testimony from these two individuals, who are believed to have "unique knowledge and independent eyewitness testimony."
The story from the Department of Homeland Security, however, paints a different picture. A spokesperson stated that Campos was pronounced dead after "experiencing medical distress." According to their official account, Campos became disruptive while waiting for medication and wouldn't go back to his dorm. He was then moved to segregation, where staff later saw him in distress and called for medical help.
Campos's death is the third to occur at the East Camp Montana facility, a tent complex that ICE opened just last year. DHS records show he was first detained in New York in July during an immigration enforcement action. His criminal history included convictions for sexual contact with a minor and criminal possession of a weapon.