Associated Press (AP) — A Nicaraguan man who died at a troubled Texas detention camp shortly after being detained by immigration agents in Minnesota is believed to have died by suicide, according to a 911 call and records.
Victor Manuel Diaz, aged 36, was discovered on January 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, where he had reportedly tried to take his own life. Emergency records reveal concerns about the facility's handling of detainees and the conditions under which they are kept.
Diaz's attorney has expressed doubts over the suicide claim, noting that he had no signs of distress and looked forward to reuniting with his family in Nicaragua upon his deportation. His death is part of a concerning trend at the Camp East Montana facility, which has seen three fatalities since its opening. Advocates argue that there is a pattern of violence, abuse, and neglect at the center.
Diaz had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024 seeking asylum. After being detained for non-appearance at a hearing, he later lost contact with family members before they received notification of his passing, leaving them in disbelief.
Calls for closure of Camp East Montana are growing louder as more details emerge, including the troubling circumstances surrounding other detainee deaths.
