Overview
- The death that occurred Saturday, Oct. 17, left Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias unresponsive in his cell and prompted lifesaving efforts before he was pronounced dead; the Webb County medical examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the cause.
- Family members say Andrade-Covarrubias, who had diabetes, high blood pressure and a heart condition, complained for months that staff denied him medication and delayed care while he was detained at the GEO Group–operated Rio Grande Processing Center.
- ICE maintains the detainee was seen by medical professionals and received proper medical care and says it notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Mexican consulate about the death.
- Rep. Henry Cuellar and the Mexican consulate have requested records and video as the family prepares for a funeral and presses for answers while removal proceedings and an agency finding that his green card was obtained fraudulently remain contested.
- Advocates point out this is at least the second death in a Laredo detention center this year and the seventh in Texas in 2026, a pattern that is renewing calls for independent reviews of detention healthcare and facility management.