Fact Check: "Family learned of death from the Mexican consulate, not ICE!"
What We Know
The claim in question pertains to the circumstances surrounding the notification of a family regarding the death of a Mexican national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Reports indicate that the family was informed of the death by the Mexican consulate rather than directly by ICE. Specifically, a recent incident involved a Mexican national, Abelardo Avelleneda-Delgado, who died while in ICE custody. According to reports, the family only learned of his death after being contacted by the Mexican consulate in Atlanta, which aligns with a pattern observed in similar cases (The Guardian).
In the context of consular notification, U.S. law mandates that foreign nationals have the right to have their consulate notified if they are arrested or detained. This is outlined in the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of State, which emphasize the importance of consular notification and access for foreign nationals (Travel.gov).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that the family learned of the death from the Mexican consulate rather than ICE is credible and corroborated by multiple sources. The report from The Guardian specifically mentions that the family was informed by the consulate, indicating a failure or delay in ICE's communication to the family. This is significant as it reflects on the procedural aspects of how deaths in custody are communicated to families, which is a critical issue in immigration enforcement practices.
On the other hand, while ICE has protocols for notifying families, the effectiveness and timeliness of these notifications can vary. The ICE news release regarding deaths in custody does not explicitly mention the process of family notification, focusing instead on the circumstances of the death. This lack of detail raises questions about the reliability of ICE's communication practices in such sensitive situations.
The source from Travel.gov provides a broader context about consular notification, affirming that consulates are often the first point of contact for families when a foreign national dies in the U.S. This aligns with the reported experience of the family in this case.
Conclusion
Needs Research: While there is credible evidence suggesting that the family learned of the death from the Mexican consulate, rather than ICE, further investigation is necessary to fully understand the notification processes and any potential lapses in communication by ICE. The existing sources provide a partial view of the situation, and additional information from ICE regarding their notification protocols would be beneficial to confirm the claim comprehensively.
