Man from El Salvador dies in ICE custody in Georgia; death under investigation
Editorial illustration — Press Pass USAA 48-year-old man from El Salvador has died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in south Georgia, the agency announced over the weekend. Luis Sandoval was found with a ligature around his neck at about 1:46 a.m. Friday at the Folkston D. Ray ICE Processing Center, and was pronounced dead at 2:28 a.m. despite life-saving efforts by facility staff and Charlton County paramedics.
ICE said Sandoval's death is under investigation and an autopsy will determine the official cause and manner of death. USA Today, reporting the death Monday, described it as an apparent suicide. Sandoval had arrived at the Folkston facility on October 8 and was awaiting his first removal hearing after being arrested by ICE's Newark office on October 2.
According to ICE, Sandoval's criminal history included convictions for aggravated assault, making terroristic threats, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking, as well as a drug possession charge. The agency said it notified the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, as required by policy.
USA Today reported that Sandoval's death is the 24th on ICE's official count for 2026 and the fifth detainee death in Georgia since the start of President Donald Trump's second term. Advocates quoted in local coverage called for an independent investigation; ICE said it is committed to ensuring people in its custody are held in safe and humane conditions.
Sources: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement news release (Oct 24, 2026); USA Today (Oct 26, 2026); Focal News Atlanta (Oct 26, 2026).
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