Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, a 27-year-old Guatemalan national with prior criminal convictions, died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami on February 16. According to ICE, Garcia-Hernandez collapsed unexpectedly and became unresponsive at 1:06 a.m., and was pronounced dead at 2:01 a.m. after resuscitation efforts by hospital staff.
Garcia-Hernandez had been convicted for criminal possession of a weapon and impersonating an officer. He was first arrested by the Watkins Glen Police Department in New York on October 31, 2023, facing several charges including trespassing, resisting arrest, obstruction of government administration, false impersonation, impersonating a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a weapon and firearm. On May 23, 2024, he was convicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by Schuyler County Court and released after serving his sentence.
He came into contact with immigration authorities multiple times. His initial encounter with U.S. Border Patrol occurred near Santa Teresa, New Mexico on April 18, 2021 under the Biden administration when he was released from custody. In January 2025, Irondequoit Police Department in New York contacted Border Patrol following another encounter with Garcia-Hernandez; he was subsequently transferred to ICE custody.
While detained by ICE starting September 2025 in Miami and later transferred between facilities in Florida and Texas for behavioral health care needs, medical staff noted that Garcia-Hernandez had longstanding severe health issues before entering ICE custody. He was classified as immunocompromised and received treatment for fever during his time at Larkin Community Hospital.
Following his death, ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, its own Office of Professional Responsibility and the Guatemalan consulate as required by policy.
ICE stated: “ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care.”
The cause of death remains under investigation.
ICE publishes information about deaths occurring in its custody on its public website according to requirements set forth by Congress through the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018. These reports are made available within ninety days on ICE’s Detainee Death Reporting page.
