A 55‑year‑old Vietnamese national, Tien Xuan Phan, died on July 19, 2025, at Methodist Hospital Northeast in San Antonio, Texas after suffering seizures and vomiting while previously detained by ICE at the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center. He had originally been arrested on June 2, following a 2012 deportation order, and was later transferred to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital on July 18 due to medical distress before being airlifted to the San Antonio facility the next day, where he passed away at 5:48 p.m. ICE confirmed that his death is under investigation by internal bodies and DHS oversight, with notifications to the Vietnamese Embassy and a public report expected within two business days.
Phan’s death marks at least the eighth in ICE detention so far this year, and critics argue it underscores systemic failures in the agency’s healthcare protocols. Detainee advocates, including ACLU officials, contend that many custody fatalities could be avoided with better medical attention, raising alarms about ICE’s ability to provide timely and adequate care. The incident highlights ongoing challenges surrounding in-custody medical oversight and the need for transparent investigations to ensure detainee safety.
Reference:
“Investigation Underway After Vietnamese National in ICE Custody Dies in Hospital.” NBC News, 22 July 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/investigation-underway-vietnamese-national-ice-custody-died-hospital-rcna220180.
