UPDATE: A community in Westminster, California, is in mourning after Ismael Ayala-Uribe, a 39-year-old man, died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. His death, which occurred on September 18, 2023, is now under investigation, prompting urgent calls for accountability from family and friends.
On Saturday, a benefit event drew a large crowd as loved ones gathered to raise funds for Ayala-Uribe’s funeral. The local community honored his life with food, while sharing stories of his kindness and helpfulness. Neighbor Christine Bone described Ayala-Uribe as “a beautiful soul,” highlighting the shock and disbelief surrounding his untimely death.
Ayala-Uribe had been detained at the Adelanto detention center since mid-August after border patrol agents apprehended him at a Huntington Beach car wash where he worked. Friends and family report that his health significantly declined during his confinement. They noted he appeared pale and thin, raising suspicions regarding the conditions of his detention.
According to ICE, Ayala-Uribe was evaluated by medical staff on September 18 after complaining of pain. He was given medication but returned to his cell. Shortly afterward, his condition deteriorated, presenting with high blood pressure and an unusually fast heartbeat. He was subsequently sent to Victor Valley Global Medical Center for surgery on an abscess but tragically became unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.
Family members and friends are demanding answers. “For five weeks—from being taken to death. That man was not a sick man. That man was a healthy man, and it is enraging that he has passed away this way,” Bone expressed. Another neighbor, Eileen Brandenburger, lamented, “No one should have that kind of ending to their life.”
Ayala-Uribe was a Mexican immigrant who came to the U.S. as a child and received protections under the DACA program in 2012. However, he was denied renewal after two DUI arrests, which included jail time. This background adds a complex layer to the community’s grief and outrage, highlighting systemic issues within the immigration system.
During the benefit, attendees voiced their concerns about the treatment of detainees. Eve Salgado, a relative with firsthand experience in the same facility, stated, “He said that’s not a good place to be, and the way they are treating him is not nice.” Family friend Tony Castaneda emphasized the need for awareness: “A lot of people are in fear. It cannot happen again. Someone else’s family cannot go through this.”
ICE has responded by asserting that comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals enter their facilities and throughout their stay. However, critics highlight that at least 14 detainees have died in custody since January, raising urgent questions about the adequacy of medical care and the conditions faced by detainees.
The community’s call for justice is growing louder, and family members are urging others to join them in their fight for accountability. “We need to bring awareness to what is going on,” Castaneda concluded. As this investigation unfolds, the community remains vigilant, demanding answers and ensuring that Ayala-Uribe’s story is not forgotten.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
