House Democrats Demand Investigation into Immigrant’s Death at ICE Facility

The death of Nenko Stanev Gantchev, an immigrant detained at the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan, has prompted calls for a thorough investigation from two Democratic lawmakers. U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez and Rashida Tlaib expressed their concerns following a press release by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which stated that Gantchev had died in a ‘safe, secure, and humane’ environment. This assertion stands in stark contrast to numerous reports of medical neglect and abuse within immigration detention facilities.

Demands for Transparency and Accountability

In their press statement, Ramirez and Tlaib called for an ‘immediate, transparent investigation’ into the circumstances surrounding Gantchev’s death. They specifically highlighted reports from other detainees who claimed Gantchev had requested medical assistance but did not receive it in time to save his life. The lawmakers emphasized the need for accountability, stating, ‘We are deeply concerned about the death of Mr. Gantchev, an Illinois resident who was detained at the for-profit GEO Group’s North Lake Processing Center.’

While ICE has attributed the cause of Gantchev’s death to natural causes, the circumstances remain murky. Reports of inadequate medical care and inhumane conditions at the North Lake facility have raised serious questions. According to Ramirez and Tlaib, there have been at least 30 deaths in ICE detention centers this year alone, making 2023 the deadliest year for immigrants in ICE custody.

Background on North Lake Processing Center

The North Lake Processing Center, which reopened as an ICE facility in June after operating as a federal prison until 2022, has a troubling history. Originally a juvenile detention center in the 1990s, it has faced allegations of medical neglect and abuse, prompting scrutiny from advocacy groups. Ten days before Gantchev’s death, Tlaib conducted an oversight visit to the facility, where she reported cold temperatures, inadequate food, and unsanitary conditions. During this visit, she also learned of multiple suicide attempts by detainees, raising alarms about the facility’s treatment of inmates.

In a recent lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Michigan on behalf of another detainee, allegations emerged that staff failed to provide necessary chemotherapy medication for nearly a month. These incidents, combined with Gantchev’s death, have led to increased pressure on ICE to address systemic issues within its facilities.

Gantchev, a 56-year-old immigrant from Bulgaria, was arrested by ICE agents in Chicago in September 2023. He had a complicated immigration history; although he was granted lawful permanent residence in 2005, that status was revoked in 2009, and an immigration judge ordered his removal earlier this year. His case exemplifies the challenges faced by many in the immigration system.

Christine Sauvé of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center noted that the current administration has created ‘new barriers’ for detainees, resulting in prolonged detention and inadequate medical care. She stated, “As individuals languish in detention, they often experience delayed or inadequate medical care while separated from their families.”

In light of these developments, Ramirez and Tlaib reiterated their commitment to holding ICE accountable and safeguarding the rights of immigrants. ‘The Trump administration’s attacks on our communities and immigrant neighbors must end,’ they declared, vowing to continue their oversight efforts.