Mexico activates consular protocol after death of national in U.S. custody

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday it has activated consular assistance protocols following the death of a Mexican national while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

The individual died on Saturday at the Winn Correctional Center in the U.S. state of Louisiana, with the cause of death still under investigation, the ministry said in a press release.

Mexico's consulate in New Orleans, in coordination with the Mexican Consulate General in Atlanta, has contacted the victim's family to provide legal support and assistance.

The ministry said it is in communication with U.S. authorities to clarify the circumstances of the death and assess possible next actions.

It also expressed concern over repeated deaths in ICE detention centers, calling them "unacceptable" and indicative of serious deficiencies incompatible with human rights standards.

Mexico has instructed its consular network to increase visits to ICE facilities and urged Mexican nationals in the United States to contact consulates if detained.

The case adds to at least 14 deaths of Mexican nationals amid immigration enforcement operations in the United States since early 2025, prompting legal and diplomatic actions by the Mexican government.