In a troubling development, three individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody have died within 12 days, igniting renewed concerns about medical care and conditions for detainees in ICE detention centers.
What Happened: A Tragic Series of Deaths in ICE Custody
Between September 29 and October 11, 2025, three individuals lost their lives while in ICE custody, prompting investigations into the conditions inside U.S. detention facilities.
The first case involved 67-year-old Hasan Ali Moh’D Saleh, a Jordanian national, who died at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida, after being admitted for treatment due to a fever. Despite efforts by medical staff to resuscitate him, Saleh was pronounced dead from cardiac arrest.
Just days before, on October 4, 2025, Leo Cruz-Silva, a 34-year-old Mexican national, died in Ste. Genevieve County Jail in Missouri. Authorities believe Cruz-Silva’s death was the result of a suicide attempt. He had been arrested for public intoxication just days before his passing.
The third death, Huabing Xie, occurred on September 29, 2025, when the 40-year-old Chinese national died after suffering a seizure at Imperial Regional Detention Facility in California. Despite immediate medical intervention, Xie was pronounced dead after being transferred to the hospital.
Who Was Hasan Ali Moh’D Saleh? Background of the Case
Hasan Ali Moh’D Saleh had a long history in the U.S., initially entering the country as a non-immigrant in 1994. After his conviction for welfare fraud, Saleh gained lawful permanent residency. He later faced further legal troubles, including a conviction in 2018 for conspiracy and fraud. After being detained by ICE in 2019, Saleh’s case was processed for removal, and he was ordered to leave the U.S. in 2020. Despite being released briefly under an Alternatives to Detention program, he was taken back into custody in September 2025 and later died while awaiting removal proceedings.
Career, Legacy, and the Investigation into ICE’s Detention Practices
The deaths of Saleh, Cruz-Silva, and Xie have sparked major concerns about ICE’s handling of detainees’ health and safety. Experts argue that overcrowding, medical neglect, and inadequate healthcare provisions have become an ongoing issue within ICE-run detention facilities, especially those managed by private contractors such as CoreCivic and Geo Group.
This tragic series of deaths has brought renewed attention to ICE’s policies under the Trump administration, with overcrowded and understaffed facilities frequently cited as contributors to deteriorating conditions. The deaths also highlight the risks faced by detainees with pre-existing medical conditions, like Saleh, who had hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Detention Watch Network, an advocacy group, has raised concerns about ICE’s lack of oversight, urging the government to reevaluate the system’s shortcomings and improve conditions for detainees.
Public and Social Media Reactions
The public outcry following these deaths has been significant. Advocacy groups have called for reform, and social media users have expressed outrage over the continued deaths in ICE custody. Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network, commented, “Trump’s cruel mass detention expansion is exacerbating the inhumane conditions that have been well-documented for decades.”
The hashtag #EndICEAbuse has gained traction on platforms like Twitter, where users are urging government officials to take action to prevent further deaths.
Official Statements and What Happens Next
In response to the deaths, ICE stated that it remains committed to providing detainees with “safe, secure, and humane environments,” with comprehensive medical care available throughout their stay. However, this statement has not quelled growing concerns, with calls for greater accountability and oversight of ICE’s practices.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility are reviewing the circumstances surrounding these deaths to determine whether ICE’s standards were met and if the agency’s policies were followed.
Closing Thoughts
The deaths of Saleh, Cruz-Silva, and Xie are a tragic reminder of the dangers of overcrowded and understaffed detention centers and the need for better medical oversight. Advocacy groups, lawmakers, and the public continue to push for reform to ensure the safety and well-being of those in ICE custody.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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