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Mexican detainee dies of COVID pneumonia at Adelanto ICE facility, judge orders reforms

Mar 25, 2026·Location: Torrance, CA

Country of origin: Mexico

Mexican detainee dies of COVID pneumonia at Adelanto ICE facility, judge orders reforms
Photo via CNN

José Guadalupe Ramos Solano, a Mexican national married to Antonia Tovar for 28 years and father of two adult children, died on March 25, 2026, after being found unconscious at Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California. He had been arrested by ICE on February 23 in Torrance following a prior conviction for possession of a controlled substance and theft, and was later found to have died of COVID-19 pneumonia. During intake screening, staff documented his diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, but his wife said he did not receive adequate medical care during his month in custody, citing poor food, crowded conditions, and lack of medicine. Witnesses said he had trouble breathing and removed his shirt feeling he was suffocating before losing consciousness; he was pronounced dead at Victor Valley Global Medical Center after CPR and emergency response efforts failed. His death was one of at least 14 ICE custody deaths reported between January and late March 2026, and a federal judge later ordered sweeping improvements to Adelanto, including better sanitation, medical care, and independent monitoring.

Timeline

Mar 25, 2026—Found unconscious in bunk, given CPR, and pronounced dead at Victor Valley Global Medical Center; cause later determined to be COVID-19 pneumonia
Mar 25, 2026—Death reported as one of at least 14 ICE custody deaths since January 2026
Mar 25, 2026—Federal judge ordered sweeping improvements to Adelanto, including medical care, sanitation, and independent monitors
Feb 24, 2026—Intake screening at Adelanto documents diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia
Feb 23, 2026—Detained by ICE in Torrance after courthouse appearance
May 1, 2025—Arrested in Redondo Beach for possession of a controlled substance and theft of personal property
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