A Life Unjustly Lost: Family Demands Answers After Orange County Man Dies in ICE Custody

The heartbroken family of an Orange County man is demanding justice and answers after their loved one, 37-year-old Kebin Arriaga, tragically died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Bakersfield. His death, attributed to a severe case of pneumonia, has ignited a fierce outcry, with his family asserting it was "preventable" and an "unnecessary" loss.

Arriaga, a Guatemalan immigrant who had built a life in Orange County for years and was seeking asylum, was the sole provider for his wife and children.

His ordeal began on February 15th when he was taken into ICE custody following a routine check-in. Just three days later, on February 18th, he was admitted to a hospital, succumbing to his illness shortly thereafter.

Devastated and bewildered, Arriaga's family has wasted no time in enlisting formidable legal representation, bringing on lawyers from the ACLU Foundation of Southern California and the prestigious firm Munger, Tolles & Olson.

Their mission is clear: to launch a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kebin’s rapid decline and untimely death, scrutinizing every aspect of the care he received – or, crucially, didn't receive – while detained.

Family members and their legal team point to Arriaga's prior medical records, which depict a man in good health before his detention.

The stark contrast with his sudden and fatal illness raises critical questions about the medical protocols and responsiveness within ICE facilities. "How could a healthy man deteriorate so quickly and die from a treatable condition?" his family’s representatives ask, echoing the community's growing concern.

ICE officials have acknowledged Arriaga's death, stating it is currently under review, a standard procedure for any death in custody.

They maintain that Arriaga received medical care at the Mesa Verde Detention Facility, where he was held. However, this official statement offers little solace to a family grappling with profound grief and suspicion. The question remains: was the care adequate? Was it timely? Could more have been done?

The family's lawyers are determined to uncover the full truth, demanding transparency from ICE.

They are particularly keen to understand why Arriaga’s pneumonia, which can be managed with proper and swift medical intervention, was allowed to escalate to a fatal stage. This tragic incident underscores broader concerns about the health and safety of individuals held in immigration detention facilities across the country, prompting a renewed call for greater oversight and accountability.

Kebin Arriaga’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of detention, and his family's fight for justice is a testament to their love and an urgent plea for systemic change, ensuring no other family endures such a preventable tragedy.