The death of an immigrant named Nenko Stanev Gantchev at the North Lake Processing Center in Michigan has sparked significant concern among lawmakers, prompting calls for a thorough investigation. Gantchev, who was found dead in his cell on September 25, 2023, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier that month. While ICE has indicated that Gantchev died of natural causes, two Democratic representatives are raising alarms over the circumstances surrounding his death.
U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez and Rashida Tlaib have urged the federal government to initiate an “immediate, transparent investigation” into Gantchev’s death. They specifically highlighted reports from fellow detainees who claimed that Gantchev had requested medical assistance but did not receive timely care. This accusation aligns with broader concerns regarding medical neglect at immigrant detention facilities across the country.
The North Lake Processing Center, operated by the for-profit company GEO Group, has been criticized for its treatment of detainees. Ramirez and Tlaib expressed their deep concern, noting, “While ICE claims he died of natural causes, the circumstances surrounding his death are not yet clear.” They emphasize that numerous complaints have been made about the inhumane conditions and inadequate medical care at the facility.
Just ten days prior to Gantchev’s death, Tlaib visited the North Lake Processing Center following troubling reports of cold temperatures, insufficient food, unsanitary conditions, and difficulties in accessing medical care. During her visit, she learned of multiple suicide attempts at the facility and stressed the need for more medical staff. “No human being should be trapped in cages, forced to experience dehumanizing conditions, or separated from their family,” Tlaib stated.
The North Lake facility has a complicated history; it was previously a juvenile detention center and later operated as a federal prison until 2022, when administrative changes prohibited private prison companies from managing federal detention facilities. In June 2023, GEO Group reopened the facility as an ICE processing center. Recent legal challenges have also surfaced, including a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Michigan on behalf of a detainee who alleged that staff failed to provide necessary chemotherapy for leukemia.
Ramirez and Tlaib pointed out that Gantchev’s death is part of a troubling trend, noting that there have been at least 30 deaths in ICE detention centers this year, marking 2023 as one of the deadliest years for immigrants in custody. Gantchev, a 56-year-old Bulgarian national, had a complex immigration history, having been granted lawful permanent residence in 2005, only to have it revoked in 2009. An immigration judge ordered his removal earlier this year.
Christine Sauvé from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center commented on the climate within the immigration detention system, indicating that conditions have worsened under recent administrations. “As this administration creates new barriers and releases fewer people, individuals are languishing in detention, often with delayed or inadequate medical care, while separated needlessly from their families,” she explained.
In response to Gantchev’s death and the ongoing issues within the detention system, Ramirez and Tlaib reiterated their commitment to oversight and accountability. They stated, “The Trump administration’s attacks on our communities and immigrant neighbors must end. We will continue to provide oversight to hold ICE accountable and protect our residents and communities.”
As investigations continue, the calls for reform and transparency within the immigration detention system remain urgent, underscoring the need for humane treatment of individuals in custody.
