'People Die': Trump's Border Czar Dismisses Concerns After Cuban Man Dies in ICE Custody

Trump administration border czar Tom Homan has drawn ire after seemingly dismissing the death of an elderly man while in custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Homan spoke to journalists on Monday, many of whom questioned him on reports of an elderly Cuban man dying while in ICE custody last week.

"There are reports of a 75 year old Cuban national who died in ICE custody. He had lived in the US for 60 years. He was being held in ICE detention in Florida. Is there anything you can tell us about that? There's still not a lot of information on how he died," a reporter asked Homan.

"I'm unaware of that. I mean people die in ICE custody. People die in county jails and people die in state prisons," Homan began.

"The question should be how many lives does ICE save because when they go into detention, we find many with diseases and stuff we deal with right away to prevent that. So I'm not aware of that specific case but I'll say this, people can argue with me all they want but the facts are the facts," he continued.

"I think that politicians in New Jersey found this out, that we have the highest detention standards in the industry. I'll compare an ICE detention facility against any state prison, against any federal facility, I'll go head to head with any of them. Go to ice.gov and look at our detention standards, it's the highest detention standards in the industry," he added.

Social media users took to online platforms to express their horror at Homan's response, which many believe seemed cold and uncaring.

"That's was his Response? People die in ICE custody?" one user said incredulously.

"People die? Thats his response?? Wut the absolute F," concurred another.

"That's a mighty long reply for 'we don't care,'" added a third.

"WTF does he mean by 'people die in ICE custody'? That's not a justification; it's a damning admission of failure. This isn't about normalizing death in detention it's about accountability, humanity, and the basic right to life. A 75-year-old man, who lived here for 60 years, dies under your watch, and your response is to shrug it off? That's not leadership; that's negligence," said one frustrated user.

"His death is on your head Mr. Homan, trying to be Mr. tough guy, he is not the first either," said another.

Isidro Perez, 75, died on Thursday at HCA Kendall Florida Hospital. His death was announced in a press release by ICE, whose custody he was under during his time of death.

"ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay," they added in their statement.

"All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care," they continued.

Originally published on Latin Times

Tags

Donald Trump, ICE