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27-year-old Guatemalan man dies in ICE custody at Miami hospital

Feb 16, 2026·Location: Miami, FL

Country of origin: Guatemala

27-year-old Guatemalan man dies in ICE custody at Miami hospital
Photo via scrippsnews.com

Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, a 27-year-old from Guatemala, died on February 16 at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami while in ICE custody. He collapsed unexpectedly and became unresponsive despite life-saving efforts. According to ICE officials, Garcia-Hernandez had a long history of severe medical complications and was in poor health when taken into custody in January 2025 following a 2024 weapons conviction. The exact cause of death remains under investigation.

Timeline

Feb 16, 2026—Garcia-Hernandez collapsed unexpectedly at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami and died while in ICE custody
Jan 2025—Garcia-Hernandez encountered by police in New York and transferred to ICE custody following a 2024 weapons conviction
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