In June, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the death of a detainee at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. The man, Jesus Molina-Veya, 45, was the second ICE detainee to die in Georgia in 2025. Both Molina-Veya and Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado, 68, who died earlier in May while being transported to the facility, were Mexican nationals.
According to ICE, Molina-Veya died by apparent suicide at Stewart Detention Center. Avellaneda-Delgado became unresponsive during transportation to the center and later died. ICE reported that both men had prior arrests by U.S. law enforcement. Molina-Veya had previous convictions including child molestation, hit-and-run, and possession of controlled substances. The agency said Avellaneda-Delgado’s most recent arrest was for a probation violation but provided limited details on his criminal history.
Civil rights organizations such as the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights and El Refugio have criticized conditions at Stewart Detention Center following these deaths. They called for increased accountability and even closure of the facility.
Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock addressed federal officials with concerns about the deaths and delays in public reporting. They highlighted ongoing issues with abuse allegations, substandard medical care, and poor conditions at Stewart Detention Center.
Both advocacy groups and lawmakers point to longstanding problems within ICE detention facilities that predate the current administration. They are urging reforms and more oversight of these centers.
Senators Ossoff and Warnock stated: “We are deeply concerned about reports of detainee deaths at Stewart Detention Center as well as persistent allegations regarding inadequate medical care and unsafe conditions.”
The incidents have renewed calls for changes in how ICE detention centers are managed.
