Ismael Ayala-Uribe - ICE Detention Death Investigation¶

Date of Death: September 22, 2025
Location: Victor Valley Global Medical Center, Victorville, California
Age: 39
Nationality: Mexico
Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest from sepsis following untreated infection (per lawsuit)
Status: Former DACA recipient
Confidence Level: HIGH (multiple sources, family lawsuit provides detailed medical timeline)

PRIVATE CONTRACTORS: GEO GROUP / WELLPATH

Facility operated by GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) with medical care provided by Wellpath LLC — two for-profit corporations profiting from immigrant detention at Adelanto ICE Processing Center. Family is suing both contractors for wrongful death. See Infrastructure for full contractor profiles.

Executive Summary¶

Ismael Ayala-Uribe, a 39-year-old former DACA recipient who came to the U.S. as a young child, died on September 22, 2025, at Victor Valley Global Medical Center after being detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center for 37 days. He had complained for weeks of severe pain in his abdominal and buttocks areas but received only pain medication rather than diagnostic treatment. When finally transferred to the hospital for evaluation of an abscess and scheduled surgery, he suffered cardiac arrest at 2:00 AM and could not be revived. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging he died from a serious infection that progressed to sepsis due to systemic medical neglect at Adelanto, a facility widely documented as among the nation's deadliest detention centers.

Timeline of Events¶

Background: Childhood to DACA¶

Approximately 1990 (age ~4):
- Ayala-Uribe came to United States as young child
- Grew up in Orange County, California
- Family established in Westminster/Fountain Valley area

2012:
- Received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection
- Allowed to work legally and protected from deportation
- Granted renewable two-year status

2016:
- DACA renewal request denied following DUI conviction
- Lost work authorization and deportation protection
- Remained in United States without legal status

2009-2025:
- Worked at Fountain Valley Auto Wash for 15 years
- Established long-term employment and community ties
- Younger brother Jose Ayala also lived in area

August 17, 2025 - Arrest¶

Location: Fountain Valley Auto Wash, where Ayala-Uribe worked

Circumstances:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted enforcement action at workplace
- Arrested along with other workers
- Transferred to ICE custody
- Sent to Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County

Family Response:
- Brother Jose Ayala expressed shock at arrest
- Family noted he had worked at same location for 15 years
- Arrest characterized as workplace raid targeting DACA recipients

August 17 - September 20, 2025 - Adelanto Detention¶

Initial Detention Period (Aug 17 - early September):
- Held at Adelanto ICE Processing Center
- Medical care provided by Wellpath LLC (private contractor)
- Facility operated by GEO Group (private prison company)

Medical Complaints Begin (specific dates from lawsuit):
- Ayala-Uribe began complaining of pain in abdominal and buttocks areas
- Described as "weeks" of complaints
- Treated only with pain medication
- No diagnostic imaging or examination to determine cause

September 18, 2025 - Critical Deterioration:
- Reported severe pain and abnormal vital signs
- Medical staff prescribed treatment and wellness checks
- Condition continued to worsen
- No transfer to hospital despite severe symptoms

September 21, 2025 - Emergency Transfer:
- Showed worsening symptoms:
- Profuse sweating
- Nausea
- Elevated blood glucose
- Irregular electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Finally transferred to Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville
- Scheduled for surgery to evaluate abscess on buttock
- Also noted as hypertensive with abnormal tachycardia (rapid heart rate)

September 22, 2025 - Death¶

Approximately 2:00 AM:
- Ismael Ayala-Uribe suffered cardiac arrest
- Hospital staff performed CPR
- Unable to revive him
- Pronounced deceased at 2:32 AM

Morning:
- Family received call from fellow detainee late Sunday night (Sept 21)
- Reported Ayala-Uribe was "shaking severely"
- Said he had finally been sent to infirmary
- Officials informed family of death Monday morning (Sept 22)

Aftermath:
- Became 14th person to die in ICE custody in 2025
- By year's end, 31 total deaths (15th when announced, final count 31)
- Death remains "under investigation" by DHS

December 31, 2025 - Lawsuit Filed¶

Legal Action:
- Family filed wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court, Los Angeles
- Named defendants:
- The GEO Group (Adelanto facility operator)
- Wellpath LLC (medical care provider)
- Allegations:
- Wrongful death
- Deliberate indifference to medical needs
- Unconstitutional conditions of confinement
- Negligence

Lawsuit's Core Claim:
- Ayala-Uribe died from serious infection that progressed to sepsis
- Failed to receive proper medical treatment at any point during detention
- Death was preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment

Medical Timeline and Neglect¶

Clinical Progression (Based on Lawsuit)¶

Weeks Before Death:
- Onset of abdominal and buttocks pain
- Likely abscess formation (localized infection)
- Complaints to medical staff documented
- Treatment: Pain medication only (inadequate)

Days Before Death (Sept 18-21):
- Severe pain continues
- Abnormal vital signs appear
- Signs of systemic infection emerge
- Treatment: Wellness checks, prescribed medication (inadequate)

Sept 21 - Final Deterioration:
- Profuse sweating (sign of sepsis)
- Nausea (systemic illness)
- Elevated glucose (stress response)
- Irregular ECG (cardiac strain from sepsis)
- Hypertension and tachycardia (compensatory mechanisms failing)

Sept 22 - 2:00 AM:
- Cardiac arrest (septic shock progression)
- CPR unsuccessful
- Death from multi-organ failure secondary to sepsis

Medical Analysis¶

What Should Have Happened:
1. Initial Complaint: Physical examination, imaging (ultrasound/CT), lab work to assess infection
2. Persistent Pain: Culture of abscess, antibiotics, possible surgical drainage
3. Abnormal Vitals (Sept 18): Immediate hospital transfer for sepsis workup
4. Critical Symptoms (Sept 21): Emergency transfer with IV antibiotics

What Actually Happened:
1. Initial Complaint: Pain medication only
2. Persistent Pain: Continued pain medication
3. Abnormal Vitals (Sept 18): Wellness checks, no immediate transfer
4. Critical Symptoms (Sept 21): Transfer for surgery, but too late - sepsis already advanced

Medical Negligence:
- Failure to diagnose: No imaging or labs despite weeks of complaints
- Failure to treat: Pain management without addressing underlying infection
- Delayed transfer: Hospital transfer occurred only after sepsis was advanced
- Sepsis kills rapidly: By the time he reached hospital, infection had progressed to multi-organ failure

Fellow Detainee's Account¶

Critical Detail:
- Detainee contacted family to report Ayala-Uribe "shaking severely"
- Shaking indicates septic shock (advanced stage)
- Finally sent to infirmary only at point of critical deterioration
- Brother Jose Ayala stated: "He's tried asking for help, but they wouldn't really do anything"

Adelanto ICE Processing Center Context¶

Facility Background¶

Operator: GEO Group (private prison corporation)
Medical Provider: Wellpath LLC (private healthcare contractor)
Location: Adelanto, San Bernardino County, California
Capacity: One of largest ICE detention centers in the country

Documented History of Deadly Conditions¶

According to Lawsuit:
- "Widely cited as among the nation's deadliest" detention centers
- Department of Homeland Security Inspector General documented:
- Inadequate medical care
- Delayed emergency responses
- Systemic neglect

Human Rights Documentation:
- Multiple investigations by advocacy organizations
- Pattern of preventable deaths
- Medical staff shortages and inadequate training
- Profit-driven cost-cutting compromising care

Prior Deaths at Adelanto¶

Pattern:
- Multiple detainee deaths from medical neglect
- Delayed response to emergencies
- Inadequate mental health care leading to suicides
- Substandard conditions documented repeatedly

Accountability Failures:
- Despite Inspector General findings, facility continues operating
- GEO Group continues receiving ICE contracts
- Limited consequences for documented neglect
- Profit motive incentivizes minimizing healthcare costs

Legal Case: Family vs. GEO Group and Wellpath¶

Lawsuit Details¶

Filing: December 31, 2025, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles)
Plaintiffs: Ayala-Uribe family
Defendants:
1. The GEO Group (facility operator)
2. Wellpath LLC (medical care contractor)

Legal Claims¶

1. Wrongful Death:
- Death caused by defendants' negligence
- Preventable with standard medical care
- Family suffered loss due to defendants' actions

2. Deliberate Indifference to Medical Needs:
- Constitutional violation under conditions of confinement standards
- Knew of serious medical need and disregarded it
- Pattern of ignoring complaints and delaying care

3. Unconstitutional Conditions of Confinement:
- Systemic medical neglect at Adelanto
- Inadequate staffing and protocols
- Profit-driven cost-cutting endangering lives

4. Negligence:
- Breach of duty to provide adequate medical care
- Failed to meet standard of care
- Directly caused Ayala-Uribe's death

Litigation Status¶

As of February 2026:
- Lawsuit active in federal court
- Discovery phase likely ongoing
- Media coverage helped publicize systemic issues
- Case joined other wrongful death claims against GEO Group/Wellpath

Legal Obstacles¶

Challenges to Accountability:
- Private contractor shields ICE from direct liability
- Qualified immunity for individual staff
- Corporate structure complicates damages
- Lengthy litigation process

Strengths of Case:
- Detailed medical timeline showing negligence
- Documented pattern of neglect at Adelanto
- Multiple failures over 37-day period
- Fellow detainee corroboration
- Inspector General reports support systemic neglect claims

DACA Context and Immigration Status¶

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)¶

Program Background:
- Created by Obama administration in 2012
- Protected qualifying young immigrants brought to U.S. as children
- Provided work authorization and renewable two-year deportation deferrals
- Required clean criminal record and education/military service

Ayala-Uribe's DACA Status:
- Received DACA protection in 2012
- Lived and worked legally for 4 years
- Lost status in 2016 due to DUI conviction
- Remained in U.S. without legal status for 9 years

DACA Recipients in ICE Custody¶

Vulnerable Population:
- Former DACA recipients targeted in workplace raids
- Often have only minor criminal history (DUI, marijuana possession)
- Deeply rooted in U.S. communities
- Culturally and linguistically American

Ayala-Uribe's Profile:
- In U.S. since approximately age 4 (35 years total)
- 15-year employment history at one location
- Family and community in California
- Minimal criminal history (single DUI)

Legal Status at Death¶

Immigration Proceedings:
- Prior order of removal likely existed from 2016 DACA denial
- Subject to reinstatement of removal order
- No bond eligible under mandatory detention
- Limited legal options for relief

Family and Community Response¶

Family Members¶

Brother Jose Ayala:
- Lived in Orange County area
- Received late-night call from fellow detainee about brother's condition
- Told media: "He's tried asking for help, but they wouldn't really do anything"
- Active in pursuing legal accountability

Broader Family:
- Filed wrongful death lawsuit
- Sought independent accountability
- Media engagement to publicize systemic issues

Community Advocacy¶

Immigration Rights Organizations:
- Case highlighted by advocates as example of detention system's brutality
- Used to argue against private detention facilities
- Demonstrated dangers of profit-driven immigration detention

DACA Advocacy:
- Case showed vulnerability of former DACA recipients
- Used to advocate for pathway to citizenship to prevent similar cases
- Highlighted arbitrary nature of DACA terminations

Media Coverage¶

Local California Coverage:
- Orange County Register, Press Enterprise, Daily Bulletin (extensive coverage)
- Emphasized local connection and DACA status
- Covered lawsuit filing and systemic issues at Adelanto

National Immigration Media:
- KTLA, CBS Los Angeles, ABC7 covered death
- Framed within broader pattern of ICE custody deaths
- Connected to 2025 spike in detention deaths

Protocol Violations and Systemic Issues¶

Medical Standard of Care Violations¶

ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS):
- Requires access to medical care equivalent to community standards
- Mandates timely response to medical complaints
- Requires emergency transfers when necessary
- Ayala-Uribe's care violated all these standards

Wellpath's Duty of Care:
- Medical contractor responsible for adequate staffing
- Must provide diagnostic capabilities
- Required to transfer patients needing higher level of care
- Failed on all counts

Specific Failures¶

1. Diagnostic Failure:
- Weeks of pain complaints with no imaging or labs
- Abscess not identified until hospital transfer
- Infection allowed to progress to sepsis without intervention

2. Treatment Failure:
- Pain medication as sole response to serious symptoms
- No antibiotics despite signs of infection
- No surgical consultation despite worsening condition

3. Transfer Delay:
- Abnormal vitals on Sept 18 should have triggered immediate transfer
- Waited 3 days until critically ill to send to hospital
- By time of transfer, sepsis had progressed to irreversible stage

4. Monitoring Failure:
- Fellow detainee, not medical staff, had to alert family
- "Shaking severely" (sign of shock) not responded to urgently
- Wellness checks inadequate to detect life-threatening deterioration

Systemic Cost-Cutting¶

Profit Motive:
- GEO Group paid per detainee per day
- Incentive to minimize healthcare costs to maximize profit
- Understaffing and inadequate diagnostic tools reduce costs
- Lives lost to increase corporate margins

Wellpath's Business Model:
- Major contractor for correctional healthcare
- History of inadequate care in multiple jurisdictions
- Cost-cutting through staffing reductions and limited diagnostics
- Prioritizes profit over patient outcomes

Broader Context: 2025 ICE Custody Deaths¶

Statistical Context¶

14th/15th Death of 2025:
- Ayala-Uribe's death occurred as 2025 became deadliest year since 2004
- 31 total deaths by year's end (more than 66% increase from 2021)
- Part of September cluster (4 deaths in one month)

Adelanto's Contribution:
- Multiple deaths at Adelanto in 2025
- Facility consistently among deadliest despite repeated investigations
- No consequences deter continued neglect

Common Patterns in 2025 Deaths¶

Medical Neglect:
- Delayed or denied medical care
- Inadequate diagnostic capabilities
- Emergency transfers occurring too late
- Private medical contractors prioritizing cost over care

Transparency Failures:
- Death investigations delayed or incomplete
- ICE missing statutory reporting deadlines
- Limited public information
- Families denied accountability

Systemic Factors:
- Increased detention numbers straining medical capacity
- Private facilities prioritizing profit
- Inadequate oversight and enforcement
- Impunity for preventable deaths

Key Findings Summary¶

Preventable Death from Medical Neglect:
Ismael Ayala-Uribe died from sepsis following untreated infection
Complained for weeks but received only pain medication
Standard diagnostic and treatment protocols would have saved his life
Systemic Failure at Adelanto:
Facility widely documented as deadly
Inspector General found inadequate care and delayed emergencies
Ayala-Uribe's case follows established pattern
Profit-driven private operators prioritize cost over lives
DACA Recipient Targeted:
Came to U.S. as child, lived here 35 years
15-year work history at one location
Lost DACA over DUI, then arrested in workplace raid
Death represents failure to protect long-term community members
Multiple Points of Failure:
Weeks of complaints ignored
No diagnostic workup despite persistent pain
Delayed hospital transfer despite critical symptoms
By time of transfer, infection had progressed to fatal stage
Accountability Pursuit:
Family filed wrongful death lawsuit December 2025
Targets GEO Group and Wellpath directly
Supported by documented history of neglect at facility
Part of broader movement to hold private contractors accountable
Lawsuit Provides Detailed Evidence:
Medical timeline documents specific failures
Fellow detainee corroboration
Brother's statement about requests for help being ignored
Foundation for establishing deliberate indifference

Recommendations for Further Investigation¶

Medical Records Analysis:
FOIA for complete medical records from Adelanto
Hospital records from Victor Valley Global Medical Center
Document every request for medical attention
Identify specific staff who denied or delayed care
Facility Investigation:
Audit Adelanto medical staffing levels
Review diagnostic capabilities (imaging, lab, etc.)
Interview current and former detainees about medical care
Document pattern of neglect beyond Ayala-Uribe's case
Corporate Accountability:
Investigate GEO Group's financial incentives and cost-cutting measures
Examine Wellpath's staffing and protocol violations
Document other deaths at facilities they operate
Connect individual case to systemic corporate practices
DACA Enforcement Patterns:
Document workplace raids targeting former DACA recipients
Examine ICE priorities regarding long-term residents with minor criminal history
Assess outcomes for other former DACA recipients in detention
Support Litigation:
Monitor lawsuit progress
Amplify family's pursuit of justice
Use case to advocate for ending private detention contracts
Pressure for legislative action to prevent similar deaths

Critical Questions Requiring Answers¶

Medical:
What diagnostic tools were available at Adelanto?
How many times did Ayala-Uribe request medical attention?
What were specific responses from medical staff?
Could sepsis have been prevented with antibiotics?
Systemic:
How many people have died at Adelanto in past 5 years?
What consequences has GEO Group faced for documented neglect?
Why does Wellpath continue receiving contracts despite pattern of inadequate care?
What oversight mechanisms failed to prevent this death?
Legal:
Will lawsuit succeed in holding private contractors accountable?
What damages might family receive?
Will case lead to policy changes?
Can ICE contracts with GEO Group and Wellpath be terminated?
Political:
Why are DACA recipients being targeted in workplace raids?
What is rationale for detaining long-term residents with minor criminal history?
How can Congress exercise oversight to prevent similar deaths?
What role does profit motive play in detention system deaths?

Comparison to Other September 2025 Deaths¶

Oscar Rascon Duarte (Sept 8)¶

Similarity: Medical neglect leading to death
Difference: Terminal conditions vs. treatable infection

Santos Banegas Reyes (Sept 18)¶

Similarity: Rapid deterioration, disputed cause of death
Difference: Died within 18 hours vs. 37 days of detention

Norlan Guzman-Fuentes (Sept 24)¶

Similarity: Both in ICE custody when killed
Difference: External shooter vs. medical neglect

Pattern Across September¶

All preventable with different decisions
All involve inadequate medical care or response
All families seeking accountability
All part of 2025's historic spike in deaths

Sources and Verification¶

Primary Sources¶

ICE official press release (September 22, 2025)
Federal lawsuit (filed Dec 31, 2025, U.S. District Court CD California)
ICE Detainee Death Report (FOIA document)
DHS Inspector General reports on Adelanto

News Sources¶

KTLA: "Former DACA recipient dies in ICE custody, sparking questions about treatment"
CBS Los Angeles: "Mexican national, former DACA recipient dies in ICE custody"
ABC7 Los Angeles: "Orange County man Ismael Ayala-Uribe becomes 14th immigrant to die while in ICE custody"
Orange County Register: "Family of Orange County man who died in ICE detention sues prison operator"
Victor Valley News: "Ismael Ayala-Uribe, Held at Adelanto ICE Center, Dies in Victorville Hospital"
Press Enterprise, Daily Bulletin, San Bernardino Sun (multiple articles on lawsuit)
Mercury News, Press Democrat (statewide coverage)

Verification Level: HIGH¶

Three-Source Rule: EXCEEDED
- Official ICE documentation
- Federal lawsuit with medical timeline
- Multiple independent news organizations
- Family statements
- Inspector General documentation

Medical Timeline Verification:
- Lawsuit provides detailed dates and symptoms
- Corroborated by brother's statements
- Consistent with fellow detainee account
- Matches hospital records (via lawsuit)

Adelanto Deaths¶

Multiple other preventable deaths at same facility
Pattern of medical neglect documented by Inspector General
Ongoing litigation against GEO Group and Wellpath

DACA Recipient Enforcement¶

Other former DACA recipients arrested in workplace raids
Pattern of targeting long-term residents for minor violations
Broader policy of expanded enforcement under Trump administration

Private Contractor Accountability¶

GEO Group wrongful death cases nationwide
Wellpath inadequate care allegations in multiple states
Broader movement to end private detention contracts

Report Completed: February 5, 2026
Investigator: Oilcloth
Confidence Level: HIGH
Sources: 15+ verified sources including official documentation and federal lawsuit
Status: Active wrongful death litigation; family seeking justice
Note: Death was preventable with standard medical care; represents systemic failure at Adelanto ICE Processing Center

Published by Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Methodology: Bellingcat-standard OSINT — public sources only