HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

Cuban detainee died after guards restrained him; death ruled homicide by asphyxia

Jan 2026 · El Paso, TX, Cuba

Cuban detainee died after guards restrained him; death ruled homicide by asphyxia

Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban migrant, died in January 2026 at Camp East Montana, an ICE detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, after being restrained by guards. An outside autopsy ruled his death a homicide due to asphyxia. Evidence associated with the incident was missing or destroyed, and the contractor failed to provide use-of-force and death reports to ICE as required. An investigation by ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility is on hold pending a criminal investigation by the FBI.

Timeline

Jun 9, 2026Government Accountability Office released report documenting three detainee deaths, mismanagement, unsafe conditions, and millions in wasted federal funds at Camp East Montana
Jan 1, 202655-year-old Cuban migrant died of asphyxia at Camp East Montana; death later ruled a homicide

Sources

More incidents in Texas