Gabriel G.A.: Mexican man dies in ICE custody, family reports broken teeth
Gabriel García Avilés, 56, had lived in the U.S. over 30 years and held a work permit when Border Patrol arrested him in Costa Mesa. He died Oct. 23 after hospitalization, with family reporting unexplained injuries.
Oct 23, 2025Victorville, CACountry of origin: Mexico

Gabriel García Avilés, 56, a Mexican immigrant who had lived in the United States for over 30 years and held a work permit, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol on October 14, 2025, during a roving operation in Costa Mesa, California. He was transferred to ICE custody and moved to Adelanto ICE Processing Center on October 15. Avilés was subsequently hospitalized at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in critical condition. He died on October 23, 2025. ICE and hospital staff attributed his death to cardiac arrest resulting from suspected alcohol withdrawal symptoms. His family reported poor communication from detention staff, concerning hospital conditions, and observed physical injuries on Avilés including dried blood, cuts, broken teeth, and bruising. His family requested that medical staff cease resuscitation attempts.
Timeline
Tags
Sources
Loading…
More incidents in California
- Three parents arrested by ICE outside Van Nuys elementary schoolOct 21, 2026 · Van Nuys, CA
- Oakland man hospitalized with broken ribs after ICE tackles him to groundOct 21, 2026 · Oakland, CA
- Santa Rosa man pulled from car at gunpoint by ICE agentsOct 21, 2026 · Santa Rosa, CA
- ICE SUV strikes man filming agents' activity in Woodland, CaliforniaOct 20, 2026 · Woodland, CA
- Masked ICE agents slam San Francisco man to ground, breaking his glassesOct 19, 2026 · San Francisco, CA
- Milton R.R.: Salvadoran man held at gunpoint by ICE agent, claimed citizenshipOct 19, 2026 · San Francisco, CA