Peruvian National Dies in ICE Custody: Questions Arise Over Care and Detention

Julián Curo-Churata’s Death Highlights Concerns in ICE Custody

Julián Curo-Churata, a Peruvian national who had lived in Maryland for 17 years, died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on September 29, 2026. The 47-year-old was detained at the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana. His death occurred less than two weeks after an immigration judge denied his applications for immigration relief and voluntary departure. This event has prompted calls for answers and accountability from his family and a U.S. senator.

ICE stated that Curo-Churata received medical care while in detention and that emergency care is never denied. However, the circumstances surrounding his death, including the denial of his legal requests and his transfer to a facility far from his family, have raised significant questions. His case is one of many reported deaths in ICE detention in 2026, a trend that has seen a notable increase in recent years.

Circumstances of Detention and Legal Proceedings

Julián Curo-Churata was arrested by ICE in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 27, 2026, during what the agency described as a “targeted enforcement operation.” Following his arrest, he was transferred to New Orleans and subsequently detained at the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana. This facility is located a considerable distance from his home in Laurel, Maryland.

On September 18, 2026, an immigration judge denied Curo-Churata’s applications for immigration relief and voluntary departure. Voluntary departure allows eligible individuals to leave the United States without a formal removal order. While the judge denied his requests, Curo-Churata retained the right to appeal this decision. His lawyers had also filed a federal habeas petition challenging his detention, but the court had not yet ruled on this matter before his death.

ICE cited Curo-Churata’s entry into the United States without inspection, a conviction for driving with expired vehicle registration, and a court judgment in favor of the Comptroller of Maryland as reasons for his detention. Maryland does not have long-term ICE detention facilities, leading to detainees being transferred to facilities in other states, often over long distances.

Medical Emergency and Death

Facility staff at Richwood Correctional Center found Curo-Churata in “medical distress” on the evening of September 28, 2026. He was transported to Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:01 a.m. CDT on September 29. ICE has stated that an autopsy is expected to determine the official cause of death, as the preliminary cause was unknown at the time of the report.

His wife, Verónica Ramírez, reported that she last spoke with him two days before his death. She was informed of his passing by a funeral home shortly after attempting to contact the detention center. Ramírez expressed a desire for answers regarding the circumstances of his death, acknowledging that an autopsy could take months to complete.

Calls for Investigation and Accountability

The death of Julián Curo-Churata has drawn attention from his family, friends, and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. Senator Van Hollen described the death as a “preventable tragedy” and called for accountability and a full, independent investigation into the circumstances. He also expressed strong opposition to the funding of what he termed “lawlessness” within the detention system.

Marxlin Bernedo, a friend of Curo-Churata, stated that he should not have died so far from his family, emphasizing that he did not deserve to die under such circumstances. Curo-Churata is survived by his wife and two children.

ICE has defended the medical care provided to Curo-Churata, stating that he received treatment from medical professionals and that emergency care is never denied. The agency maintains its commitment to providing “safe, secure and humane environments” for detained individuals. The medical emergency and ICE’s account of the care provided remain central to the ongoing inquiry into his death.

Broader Concerns Regarding ICE Detention Deaths

Julián Curo-Churata’s death marks at least the 37th reported death in ICE detention in 2026. This figure highlights a broader trend of increasing mortality rates within ICE detention facilities. A Human Rights Watch analysis from June 2026 indicated a significant rise in the annual mortality rate in ICE detention, reaching its highest level in nearly two decades.

These statistics raise concerns about the conditions and adequacy of medical care within ICE detention centers. Advocates and lawmakers continue to call for greater transparency, oversight, and reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals held in immigration detention. The autopsy results are anticipated to provide further clarity on the cause of Curo-Churata’s death and may inform ongoing discussions about detention policies and practices.

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