The tragic death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban who passed away while under immigration detention in Texas, continues to send shockwaves through the United States' immigrant detention system.
This week, a federal judge issued a temporary halt on the deportation of two detainees who claim they witnessed the Cuban national's final moments. This decision followed an official autopsy that ruled his death a homicide.
According to USA Today, Judge Steven Briones ordered the suspension of the witnesses' deportation on the same day the El Paso County medical examiner determined that Lunas Campos died from asphyxiation, caused by compression of the neck and torso at the privately operated Camp East Montana detention center, located on military grounds at Fort Bliss.
The ruling reflects the seriousness of the forensic findings and the witness testimonies, which starkly contradict the initial version provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Two detainees, one from El Salvador and another Cuban, testified that they saw multiple guards restraining Lunas Campos while he repeatedly stated he couldn't breathe. Just days after speaking to the media, authorities attempted to deport them, a move now postponed at least until February 4.
"There is very strong evidence that the guards at this center killed Mr. Lunas Campos," attorney Max Schoening, representing the family, told USA Today. He also criticized the government’s narrative, which has shifted multiple times since the death occurred on January 3.
Initially, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security claimed the Cuban experienced a medical emergency. Later, they suggested he attempted suicide and resisted security personnel violently. However, the forensic report and eyewitness accounts point to a prolonged struggle involving force, culminating in asphyxiation.
Lunas Campos had been residing in the United States for decades and had a final deportation order since 2005, which remained unenforced due to a lack of travel documents to Cuba. He was arrested in July 2025 in New York and subsequently transferred to Camp East Montana, where he died handcuffed, isolated, and away from his family.
While authorities have highlighted his criminal record, his children emphasize that, despite his mistakes, he was a father and a human being who died while in state custody. They now plan to sue federal officials over his death.
The case has reignited scrutiny of the U.S. immigrant detention system, particularly in facilities managed by private contractors. Camp East Montana has reported at least three deaths since its opening, while USA Today notes that the rapid expansion of such facilities has been accompanied by an increase in deaths in custody.
Key Questions on ICE Detention and Accountability
What led to the judge halting the deportation of the witnesses?
The judge halted the deportation due to the serious nature of the forensic findings and witness testimonies that contradicted ICE's initial reports, as well as the investigation into Geraldo Lunas Campos' death being ruled a homicide.
Why is the Camp East Montana detention center under scrutiny?
Camp East Montana, a privately managed facility, is under scrutiny due to multiple deaths occurring since its opening, including the recent high-profile case of Geraldo Lunas Campos, which has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees.