Costa Rican Immigrant Dies in ICE Custody in Louisiana

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Monday the death of an immigrant in its custody in Louisiana. Carlos Josué Marchena-Marchena, 36, originally from Costa Rica, died on September 18 at the Winnfield Correctional Center.

What ICE Reported About the Circumstances of Death

According to ICE’s official statement, center staff found Marchena unconscious and immediately requested emergency medical assistance. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported him to Winn Parish Medical Center for advanced care.

Medical staff continued resuscitation efforts upon arrival at the hospital. A physician declared Marchena’s death at approximately 8:00 a.m., although the official cause of death remains pending a more detailed medical examination, according to ICE.

The agency stated that Marchena received adequate medical attention during his detention and was examined by health professionals. ICE also notified the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of Inspector General, and the Costa Rican Consulate of the case, in accordance with its internal protocol.

Marchena’s Immigration History Before His Death

Marchena was arrested by ICE agents on January 14 in Michigan. According to the agency’s statement, he had a criminal record for retail fraud and malicious destruction of personal property, in addition to previous arrests for fraud and assault.

Documents reviewed by Telemundo News show that a judge ordered his deportation on July 27. However, instead of being sent to Costa Rica, where his family was waiting for him, he was transferred from Michigan to California and then to Louisiana.

Marchena died eight months after his initial arrest, without having been deported despite the existing judicial order. The case reopens questions about the timeline for transfers and execution of deportation orders within the immigration system.

Current Legal Framework: A deportation order issued by an Immigration Court judge does not always get executed immediately. The transfer depends on flight availability, agreements with the receiving country, and ICE’s internal logistics, which can prolong detention for months, even with the order already signed.

The Family’s Account of His Health During Detention

Francini Marchena, a family member of the immigrant, told Telemundo News that the family knew he was not feeling well. «We knew that he was not feeling well, that he felt bad,» Francini said in an interview with the outlet.

The family stated that Marchena suffered from diabetes and that the condition worsened during his time in custody. That account contrasts with ICE’s official version, which claims it provided him adequate medical care throughout his detention.

Francini also recounted how he learned of his family member’s death. «The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry called us to give us the news. They didn’t tell us why he had died,» he told Telemundo News.

The Family’s Questions About the Delay in Deportation

Bryan Marchena, another family member of the deceased, questioned the timeline of the immigration process. «If the country doesn’t want him there, why do they take so long to deport the person,» Bryan asked in an interview with the same outlet.

That question reflects a concern shared by immigrant rights organizations: the gap between a signed deportation order and its actual execution. During that period, the person remains detained, sometimes in facilities far from where their process began.

Marchena’s case adds to other recent episodes of deaths in immigration custody that have drawn public scrutiny. Human rights organizations have previously called for greater transparency regarding the medical care provided to detainees with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

What Families Can Do With a Loved One Detained by ICE

Families of people in immigration custody can verify their location through ICE’s detainee locator system. They can also request information about a detainee’s health status directly from the corresponding detention facility.

Having an accredited immigration attorney helps track a deportation order and request transfers or additional medical care when preexisting conditions exist. The consulate of the person’s country of origin, such as Costa Rica’s in this case, can also intervene to demand official information about the status of the process.