An Indian national, who was awaiting deportation, died in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Southeast Georgia Health System’s Camden Campus in St. Mary’s on April 15.
“An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death,” the ICE said in a statement.
Jaspal Singh, 57, a citizen of India, entered the United States legally on Oct. 25, 1992.
“On Jan. 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered Singh removed from the United States, and on an unknown date, Singh self-removed to India,” ICE said.
On June 29, 2023, he was arrested by US Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol officers while illegally reentering the United States at the US-Mexico Border.
Border Patrol transferred custody of Singh to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Atlanta.
He was detained at the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Folkston, where he continued his immigration proceedings.
Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.
Additionally, ICE notified the Indian Consulate in New York of Singh’s passing.
“ERO Atlanta staff notified next of kin,” read the statement.