Man Dies in ICE Custody at Fort Bliss as Wife Is Deported Amid Calls for Facility Closure
Francisco Gaspar-Andrés, 48, died on December 3, 2025, in an El Paso hospital after being detained at Fort Bliss Camp East Montana. An autopsy attributed his death to natural causes related to alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis. His wife, Lucía Pedro Juan, a Guatemalan national, was deported to Guatemala on November 28, 2025, before she could see him as his condition worsened.
The couple had lived in Florida for years and were arrested during a traffic stop in September 2025, after which they were separated and taken to Fort Bliss. Gaspar-Andrés was the first person to die in ICE custody at this facility. His death prompted calls from lawmakers and immigration advocates to close Camp East Montana amid allegations of inhumane conditions.
ICE stated that Gaspar-Andrés received constant and high-quality medical care. According to ICE, he was hospitalized in November following a health decline and died on December 3. The department noted that Gaspar-Andrés was scheduled for removal to Guatemala on November 14 but was hospitalized on November 16. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE defended conditions at the camp, with a spokesman dismissing reports as fearmongering and stating that detainees have access to meals, medical care, showers, lawyers, and family contact.
Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar criticized the oversight of Camp East Montana in letters dated December 9 and 19, highlighting ongoing issues detainees face, including lack of access to medications and updates on legal proceedings. Guatemalan consul Ligia Reyes confirmed Guatemala was informed about Gaspar-Andrés's declining health and that an investigation had been requested; the family was also advised on repatriation.
Civil rights organizations such as ACLU Texas and Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center warned of medical neglect at the facility, referencing the Deadly Failures report and broader concerns about inadequate medical care and oversight at Fort Bliss. Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration had ordered Camp East Montana on the Fort Bliss base to be used for housing migrants.
