Dallas green card holder stopped at Laredo border over 2004 arrest. Then he becomes the 7th person to die in Texas ICE custody this year
Another ICE death.
Dallas resident Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias died at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. He was 56 years old. This marks the seventh death in Texas ICE custody this year. According to Newsweek, Andrade-Covarrubias was a lawful permanent resident. He was originally from Mexico.
Federal agents found him unresponsive in his bed on Saturday morning. Staff performed chest compressions. They also called emergency services. He was declared dead about 20 minutes later. The cause of Andrade-Covarrubias’ death remains unknown. An autopsy is pending with the Webb County Medical Examiner.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents detained Andrade-Covarrubias on June 26 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo. He was returning to the United States from Mexico at that time. Agents claimed he obtained his legal status through fraudulent means. They alleged he failed to disclose a 2004 arrest for theft.
Andrade-Covarrubias’ daughter has disputed the officials’ claims
Federal officials said Andrade-Covarrubias was in removal proceedings. He was waiting for a hearing before an immigration judge. The Texas Tribune reports that a hearing was set for November 2. His daughter, Estefani Andrade, disputes the claims of fraud. She stated her father brought up his criminal record during the application process, adding that immigration officials approved his green card application regardless.
Andrade-Covarrubias lived in Dallas for decades. He raised three children there, working as a painter for apartments and townhomes. He traveled to Mexico often to build a house there and planned to return to Mexico eventually.
His daughter said he had several health issues. Andrade-Covarrubias suffered from diabetes, hypertension, and anxiety. He also had a heart condition. She said he was hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2021 that left a lasting toll on his health. Estefani Andrade claimed her father had his medicine when he was detained. She said staff at the center would not give him his medications.
Andrade-Covarrubias told his daughter that he felt sick, had a cough, faced trouble breathing and felt a tightness in his chest. She claimed he sought help from the facility’s medical staff. He told her that “they would just ignore him.” She said the staff brushed off his concerns. ICE officials maintain that he received proper medical care.
ICE officials say Andrade-Covarrubias was seen by medical professionals
Federal immigration authorities have said that all detainees stay in safe, secure, and humane environments. They claimed comprehensive medical care is provided and said all people in ICE custody receive screenings within 12 hours of arrival. They also promised a full health assessment within 14 days, stating that no detained person is ever denied emergency care.
U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar inspected the facility on Sunday, October 18, a day after Andrade-Covarrubias’ death. He asked staff about medical procedures but they did not provide specific details, citing the ongoing investigation into the death. Cuellar submitted seven questions to ICE regarding the case.
“Any death in federal custody is a serious matter, and the family of Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias deserves answers,” Cuellar said Monday. He said he is awaiting a response. He plans to keep following up until he has a clear understanding of what happened.
An online fundraiser for the family has been set up. It exceeded $9,000 as of early Thursday. The GoFundMe page says the family believes he did not receive needed medical attention. The family is devastated and heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Estefani Andrade wrote a tribute to her father
Estefani Andrade stated that he deserved to be treated with “dignity, compassion and care.” She wrote, “My father was more than just a name.” She added, “He was a father, a loved one, and someone whose life meant so much to our family.”
This is the second death in a Laredo ICE facility this year. Felix Alcorta-Rodriguez died on June 19. He was 63 years old and was also found unresponsive. The first death of the year occurred in January. Geraldo Lunas Campos died at Camp East Montana in El Paso. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
A Supreme Court ruling from June 2026 directly impacts green card holders. The court ruled in a 6-3 vote that border officers can stop permanent residents from reentering the country. This applies if they have a history of criminal arrests. Justice Clarence Thomas stated in an opinion that officers do not need clear evidence that a crime occurred.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. She wrote that the opinion undermines the security of holding a green card and expressed worry that the court handed the government a massive blank check. She fears this puts lawful permanent residents in immigration limbo. Andrade-Covarrubias was caught in this legal situation before his death. The investigation into his final days continues.
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