NewsLos Angeles TimesOctober 27, 2026San Diego County
Immigrant detainee dies at Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego
Photo: Los Angeles Times
An unnamed immigrant detainee died Saturday morning at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, according to a CoreCivic spokesperson. Staff called for a medical emergency at approximately 11:36 a.m. after finding the person unresponsive, and emergency responders pronounced the individual dead at the scene.
Read the full story at Los Angeles TimesWhy It Matters
The fatality marks the first death at the Otay Mesa facility since 2023 and the 61st such death in nationwide during the Trump administration.
Key Facts
- An immigrant detainee died Saturday morning at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego.
- A CoreCivic staff member called in a medical emergency around 11:36 a.m. after finding an unresponsive person.
- Emergency medical services arrived and attempted lifesaving measures, but the person was pronounced dead at the facility.
- CoreCivic did not release the identity of the deceased person.
- The death is the 61st in ICE custody under the Trump administration and the first at the Otay Mesa facility since 2023.
- San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre asked the county public health officer to determine if local health authorities can inspect ICE facilities under state law.
- ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- The death was first reported publicly by Daylight San Diego.
- This is the seventh death in ICE custody in California during this administration.
Who's Mentioned
PersonLuis Sandoval“Salvadoran immigrant who died in ICE custody in Georgia”locationGeorgia“State where the Folkston D. Ray ICE Processing Center is located”OrganizationImmigration and Customs Enforcement“Federal agency responsible for immigrant detention”PersonPaloma Aguirre“San Diego County Supervisor commenting on the incident”OrganizationCoreCivic“Tennessee-based private prison company operating the Otay Mesa facility”locationTennessee“State where CoreCivic is based”OrganizationDepartment of Homeland Security“Federal department overseeing ICE”locationSan Diego County“County jurisdiction of Supervisor Paloma Aguirre”OrganizationOtay Mesa Detention Center“Private detention facility operated by CoreCivic in San Diego”locationCalifornia“State where seven deaths in ICE custody have occurred under the current administ”OrganizationFolkston D. Ray ICE Processing Center“ICE processing center in Georgia”OrganizationDaylight San Diego“News outlet that first reported the death”locationSan Diego“City where the Otay Mesa Detention Center is located”