Before you read this blog, I respectfully ask you one question to think about while you read this. What percentage of preventable death is acceptable? The answer should be 0.
We can test for HIV with a one minute test today and we can treat it with one pill. When prisoners enter a prison in America, one of the first tests they receive is an HIV test. That happens for a reason and that reason is, we can stop the virus in its tracks as long as we know who has it and get them access to medication.
There is no other option or it should be called murder. Every case I am about to describe below, should be cases of murder but I bet if you dig a little deeper, you will find nothing probably happened to the guards who killed these people. Murdered them and got paid by the American Government to do it.
Preventable deaths of people living with HIV in U.S. custody should outrage every one of us.
The tragic death of a 45-year-old Ethiopian man in ICE custody on January 29, 2025, from complications related to untreated HIV, underscores a longstanding pattern of medical neglect within U.S. immigration detention facilities. Despite modern treatments that allow individuals with HIV to lead near-average lifespans, this man's condition went unaddressed during his nearly four-month detention at the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona. Medical experts have stated that routine blood tests and timely antiretroviral therapy could have prevented his death. (ICE Detainee Dies After HIV Undiagnosed for Months During Custody)
This incident is not isolated. Over the years, multiple reports have highlighted systemic failures in providing adequate medical care to detainees with HIV. For instance, in 2007, Victoria Arellano, a 23-year-old transgender woman from Mexico, died in ICE custody after being denied necessary HIV medications. Detainees reported that she was visibly ill and pleaded for medical attention, but her requests were ignored until it was too late. (US: Immigration Detention Practices Endanger Health, Life | Human Rights Watch)
Similarly, in 2018, Roxsana Hernández, a 33-year-old woman of transgender experience from Honduras, died in ICE custody. An independent autopsy revealed signs of physical abuse and dehydration, raising concerns about the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in detention. (Roxsana Hernández, a 33-Year-Old Honduran Trans Woman, Died in ICE Custody Amid Concerns She Was Abused)
This is not just a policy issue—this is about life and death.
These cases reflect a broader issue of inadequate healthcare in immigration detention centers, often operated by private companies. A 2024 report found that nearly all deaths in ICE custody over a five-year period were preventable, citing systemic neglect and lack of accountability. (Nearly All Deaths in ICE Custody Over 5 Years Were Preventable, New Report Finds)
Despite these alarming findings, there has been little to no accountability for these preventable deaths. Advocates and human rights organizations continue to call for comprehensive reforms to ensure that detainees receive the medical care they need and are treated with dignity and respect.
The U.S. government's failure to address these systemic issues not only violates the rights of detainees but also undermines the nation's commitment to human rights and public health. It is imperative that immediate action is taken to prevent further tragedies and uphold the standards of care that every individual deserves.
Call to Action:
This is not just a policy failure—it is a moral one. Preventable deaths of people living with HIV in U.S. custody should outrage every one of us. We must demand accountability. Contact your representatives—local, state, and federal—and urge them to speak out against this ongoing systemic neglect. Tell them that no one should die in government custody from a manageable condition like HIV.
Call, write, or email your legislature today using Ballotpedia. Demand congressional oversight, transparency in ICE detention health services, and legislation that ensures access to lifesaving treatment for every person in custody. This is not just a policy issue—this is about life and death.
