A 36-year-old man from Nicaragua who was arrested in Minneapolis has died while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at Camp East Montana on Fort Bliss. Victor Manuel Diaz was pronounced dead at the detention facility on Jan. 14, according to agency records and community groups. In a Jan. 18 notice, ICE later characterized his death as a presumed suicide.
According to the El Paso Times, Diaz was taken into ICE custody in Minneapolis on Jan. 6, received a final removal order on Jan. 12, and was then transferred to the Fort Bliss site. He was pronounced dead at Camp East Montana on Jan. 14, and ICE's internal notice listed the manner of death as a presumed suicide. Officials have not publicly released an autopsy or toxicology report.
Texas Nicaraguan Community, a support group for migrants, confirmed Diaz's death and said his family has been notified and is seeking help to repatriate his remains. The group's public post, along with reporting by Nicaraguan outlet Artículo 66, states that Diaz's mother last heard from him on Jan. 6, when he was heading to work in Minneapolis.
Third Reported Death At Camp East Montana
Diaz's death is at least the third reported at the sprawling Fort Bliss tent camp since it began receiving detainees in August 2025. The Washington Post has reported that the Jan. 3 death of Geraldo Lunas Campos is under intense scrutiny after a preliminary finding by the El Paso County medical examiner suggested asphyxia due to neck and chest compression. ICE also announced the Dec. 3 death of Francisco Gaspar-Andrés, who was hospitalized after transfer to the facility, according to public statements and reporting.
Investigations And Calls For Oversight
Advocates and civil-rights organizations say the recent deaths highlight systemic problems at hastily opened or privately run detention sites and have renewed calls to shut down Camp East Montana. The ACLU urged closure after reports of alleged abuse, and the Associated Press has detailed shifting federal accounts of the Lunas Campos case while local authorities continue to investigate. Community groups say they want more transparency about detainee care and the circumstances surrounding each death at the site.
Diaz's relatives and advocates say they are waiting for definitive forensic findings and clearer information from ICE about how he died. The family is also seeking assistance with repatriation, according to Artículo 66. Local and national advocacy groups contend that the Fort Bliss facility needs independent oversight to help ensure detainees' safety as the investigations move forward.
