Overview
- ICE identified the deceased as Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, who was found unresponsive on Jan. 14 and pronounced dead at 4:09 p.m. after EMS attempted lifesaving measures.
- ICE described the death as a presumed suicide while noting the official cause remains under investigation.
- Diaz was arrested in Minneapolis on Jan. 6, had a final removal order processed on Jan. 12, and first entered the U.S. in March 2024.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Tina Smith called for investigations, and Rep. Veronica Escobar urged closure of the newly expanded, privately run facility.
- The case adds to multiple early‑2026 in‑custody fatalities as ICE’s detained population climbs to about 73,000; a separate Jan. 3 death at the same site is under scrutiny after a reported preliminary homicide finding.