Fact Check: Family learned of Avellaneda Delgado's death from the Mexican consulate, not ICE.

Fact Check: "Family learned of Avellaneda Delgado's death from the Mexican consulate, not ICE."

What We Know

Abelardo Avellaneda Delgado, a 68-year-old Mexican national, died while in transit from a local jail to an ICE detention center on May 5, 2025. His family reported that they learned of his death through a call from the Mexican consulate in Atlanta, rather than from ICE itself. This aligns with reports indicating that such notifications from consulates are common in cases of deaths under ICE custody (The Guardian, The Appeal). The family had been actively seeking information about his condition during his detention, but they faced numerous obstacles in obtaining updates (The Guardian).

Analysis

The claim that Avellaneda Delgado's family learned of his death from the Mexican consulate rather than ICE is supported by multiple credible sources. According to a report by The Guardian, the family only received the news of his passing from the consulate, which is indicative of a broader issue where families often do not receive timely information from ICE regarding detainee deaths. This pattern has been noted by experts who work with detainees and their families, highlighting systemic failures in communication from ICE (The Guardian).

ICE's own press release on the incident confirms that Avellaneda Delgado was pronounced dead by medical professionals, but it does not address the family's claims regarding how they were informed (ICE News Release). The lack of direct communication from ICE to the family raises concerns about transparency and accountability within the agency, particularly in light of the ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death (ICE Detainee Death Report).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include reputable news organizations and official reports. The Guardian and The Appeal are known for their investigative journalism, particularly on immigration issues, while ICE's own documentation provides official confirmation of the events surrounding Avellaneda Delgado's death.

Conclusion

The claim that Abelardo Avellaneda Delgado's family learned of his death from the Mexican consulate, rather than from ICE, is True. This assertion is substantiated by multiple credible sources that document the family's experience and the systemic issues surrounding communication from ICE regarding detainee deaths.

Fact Check: Family learned of Avellaneda Delgado's death from the Mexican consulate, not ICE.