Tragedy Strikes: Woman Dies in ICE Custody at Sacramento Facility, Raising Urgent Questions

A profound sense of grief and growing calls for accountability have emerged following the death of a 51-year-old woman in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Sacramento-area facility. Maria Coj Cumar, a Guatemalan national, passed away on May 24, 2024, at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield, a facility that houses individuals detained in the Sacramento region.

Her death marks another somber chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of immigration detention conditions.

According to official reports from ICE, Ms. Cumar’s cause of death was attributed to sudden cardiac arrest, stemming from natural causes. She reportedly had pre-existing medical conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, which require diligent management.

She had been held at the Mesa Verde facility since January 29, 2024, after being initially detained by U.S. Border Patrol near Tecate, California, in October 2023.

The circumstances surrounding Ms. Cumar’s passing have immediately triggered internal reviews by ICE and an immediate notification to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

This standard protocol aims to ensure transparency and thorough investigation into any death occurring within ICE detention. However, for immigrant rights advocates, these deaths are not mere statistics but rather stark indicators of systemic issues.

Advocacy groups have swiftly responded to the tragic news, vocalizing their concerns and demanding a deeper, more independent investigation.

NORCAL Resist and the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) are among those leading the charge, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability from both ICE and GEO Group, the private company that operates the Mesa Verde facility. They highlight a disturbing pattern of medical neglect and substandard care within detention centers that, they argue, contributes directly to preventable deaths.

“This is not an isolated incident,” stated a representative from NORCAL Resist, pointing to a history of deaths at ICE facilities, including two other individuals, Kesley Vial and Martin Vargas Arellano, who died at Mesa Verde in recent years.

These organizations are not only calling for a comprehensive investigation into Ms. Cumar’s death but also demanding a re-evaluation of the entire immigration detention system, advocating for alternatives that prioritize human dignity and well-being over incarceration.

The death of Maria Coj Cumar serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of immigration detention and reignites critical conversations about medical care, oversight, and the ethical responsibilities of those managing these facilities.

As investigations unfold, the push for greater transparency and profound systemic change will undoubtedly continue to gain momentum, echoing the voices of those who believe that no person should die while seeking safety and a better life.