Peruvian Immigrant Dies in ICE Custody in Louisiana, Cause Unknown

A 47-year-old Peruvian immigrant has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Louisiana following a medical emergency at the Richwood Correctional Center.

The deceased individual was identified by ICE as Julián Curo-Churata, but the initial cause of death remains undetermined. An autopsy is expected to officially ascertain the reason behind his passing.

According to ICE, Curo-Churata began experiencing medical issues on September 28. Around 8:14 p.m., staff at the facility transferred him to Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center in Monroe for advanced medical care.

Despite the medical team's efforts, he was pronounced dead by an on-call physician at 4:01 a.m. on September 29.

To date, ICE has not disclosed what triggered the medical emergency or provided any clinical history that might explain the deterioration of his health condition.

The agency maintains, however, that the Peruvian national received medical attention during his detention and was evaluated by healthcare professionals.

Background and Legal Proceedings

Curo-Churata had been in immigration custody for three months, having been arrested on June 27 by the Baltimore Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) during a targeted operation. He was issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge on the same day.

Two days later, he was transferred to the custody of ERO New Orleans and detained at Richwood Correctional Center. ICE reported that he had entered the United States at an unknown time and place without undergoing an immigration inspection.

His record included a conviction for driving with an expired vehicle registration and a separate court judgment against him in favor of the Maryland Comptroller.

On September 18, a mere 11 days before his death, an immigration judge denied his requests for immigration relief and voluntary departure. Curo-Churata reserved the right to appeal the decision.

Response and Ongoing Concerns

Following his death, ERO New Orleans informed the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility. Notifications were also sent to his wife, his attorney, and the Peruvian Consulate General.

ICE asserts that individuals in their custody undergo medical, dental, and mental health evaluations within the first 12 hours of arrival at each facility, a comprehensive health assessment within the first 14 days, and have continuous access to emergency care.

Nonetheless, Curo-Churata's death highlights a particularly challenging year for the immigration detention system. The fiscal year 2026 concluded with 37 deaths in ICE custody, the highest number recorded by the agency, based on data collected by the end of September.

Among recent cases is Jesús Manuel Arenas Silva, a 45-year-old Venezuelan who died in July while being transferred between two detention centers in Georgia.

In April, Alejandro Cabrera Clemente, a 49-year-old Mexican citizen, died after being found unconscious in his cell at the Winn Correctional Center, also in Louisiana.

Several Cuban nationals have also died in immigration custody during 2026. In April, Aled Damien Carbonell-Betancourt, aged 27, died at the Federal Detention Center in Miami in what authorities initially described as an apparent suicide attempt.

Shortly thereafter, Denny Adán González, 33, died at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia. ICE initially reported a possible suicide, but subsequent testimonies challenged this version, sparking new criticisms about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Another case still under scrutiny involves Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban who died in January at a detention center in El Paso.

His family filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit after an autopsy classified his death as homicide due to asphyxiation from compression of the neck and torso.