Ismael Ayala-Uribe died in ICE custody after suffering from a treatable infection. His family and experts believe his death was preventable.
Lucia Uribe once visited her son, Ismael Ayala-Uribe, at a detention center in Adelanto, California. Ismael moved to the United States as a child. Authorities arrested him while he worked at a car wash in August 2025.
Later, Ismael developed a high fever and appeared very ill during a visit. He told his mother he would not survive. He passed away in custody on September 22, 2025.
A coroner found that a pelvic abscess caused his death. However, his family believes poor medical treatment led to the tragedy. Experts say his death was likely preventable.
Meanwhile, data shows that 2025 was the deadliest year for people in ICE custody. Watchdogs note that the death rate has tripled under the current administration. They argue these deaths are not proportional to the number of detainees.
Also, records suggest that medical staff at Adelanto delayed care for Ismael. Internal reviews found that his treatment fell below safe standards. Despite this, federal officials claim the facility provides comprehensive care.
In addition, other detainees report poor conditions at Adelanto. They describe inadequate medical attention and spoiled food. Some inmates even went on a hunger strike to protest these issues.
Next, detainees face harsh retaliation for speaking out. Some individuals reported being placed in solitary confinement for participating in protests. Others claim guards use physical force against them.
Finally, the federal government recently purchased the Adelanto facility. Critics worry this change makes oversight harder for local officials. For families like the Uribes, the loss remains a painful, permanent void.