ICE Custody Death Notification: Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes

ICE News Releases

Published March 4th, 2026

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the death of Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, an individual in ICE custody, at a California hospital on February 27, 2026. The notice details the circumstances of his death and ICE's commitment to providing comprehensive medical care.

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What changed

ICE has issued a public notice regarding the death of Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, a 48-year-old individual from Mexico, who died in ICE custody on February 27, 2026, at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville, California. Gutierrez-Reyes, who had a prior conviction for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, was arrested during immigration enforcement operations and placed into removal proceedings. He was hospitalized for chest pain and shortness of breath prior to his death.

This notice serves as a standard detainee death notification, fulfilling agency policy and congressional requirements to publicize such events within 90 days. ICE reiterates its commitment to providing safe, secure, and humane environments with comprehensive medical care for all individuals in its custody, including intake screenings and access to emergency care. No specific actions are required from regulated entities, as this is an informational notice.

Source document (simplified)

March 4, 2026 Los Angeles, CA, United States Detainee Death Notifications

Criminal illegal alien passes away in California hospital

LOS ANGELES — Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, 48, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, died in ICE custody Feb. 27 at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville. He was pronounced deceased at 12:58 a.m. after being hospitalized for chest pain and shortness of breath.

Gutierrez entered the United States at an unknown date and location without inspection.

Gutierrez was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department March 25, 2010, for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. He was convicted March 29, 2010, and sentenced to diversion.

U.S. Border Patrol arrested Gutierrez Jan. 9 during immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles and transferred him to ICE custody. He was placed into immigration proceedings Jan. 11 for being present in the United States without admission and moved to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center Jan. 12, pending the outcome of his removal proceedings.

On January 12, his medical intake exam was conducted by a physician, and he reported no significant concerns.

On Feb. 25, Gutierrez reported feeling faint. An on-site medical provider ordered him transferred to Victor Valley Global Medical Center for evaluation, where he was admitted for chest pain and shortness of breath. Early Feb. 27, he became unresponsive and medical staff-initiated life-saving measures. He was pronounced dead at 12:58 a.m.

ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Mexican consulate, as required by agency policy. ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon official reports of in-custody alien deaths and posts news releases with relevant details on ICE's public website. You may access this information in ICE.gov’s Newsroom. Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require ICE to publicize all reports regarding in-custody deaths within 90 days. You may access these reports on ICE.gov’s Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in 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. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings 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 alien denied emergency care.

This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives.

Updated:

03/04/2026