U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Tuesday two illegal immigrants in the federal agency’s custody have died in the past week, bringing the fatalities count to six for fiscal 2016.
On Sunday night, Russian national Igor Zyazin was found unresponsive in his bunk at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, Calif., according to a press release issued late Tuesday.
The 46-year-old was immediately taken to the hospital, but Zyazin was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. Authorities did not shared the cause of death, and said the medical examiner is working to determine it.
Zyazin had been transferred into ICE custody one week earlier after attempting to enter the U.S. through a San Diego port of entry. After examining his Russian passport, officials determined he had been previously deported in 2009 and was ineligible for re-entry.
A Salvadoran man died last Thursday at the Kendall Regional Medical Center in Miami, Fla., due to complications from alcohol withdrawal, according to a Monday press release by ICE.
Jose Leonardo Lemus Rajo, 23, was transferred into immigration custody from the Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole on April 25. He was flagged in law enforcement databases to be turned over to ICE due to a 2011 removal order he had skipped court over.
Authorities cited a medical screening he received at the immigration facility, which said Lemus Rajo had exhibited symptoms of alcohol abuse and had been immediately treated.
He was transferred to a local hospital the following day. While at Kendall Regional Medical Center, officials said he stopped breathing and doctors were unable to revive him.
Immigration officials notified both men’s home countries about the deaths while in U.S. custody.
