Death of Flagstaff Man in ICE Custody

A 32-year-old man, raised in Flagstaff, passed away while in the custody of immigration and customs enforcement (ICE). His family has expressed concerns about the lack of adequate medical care he received during that time.

According to ICE, Lorenzo Antonio Batres Vargas died on Sunday morning at Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa. The specific cause of his death remains unclear and is currently under investigation.

ICE issued a statement claiming that those in detention receive comprehensive medical care along with 24-hour emergency services. However, Batres Vargas’ family alleges that he was not given the necessary medical treatment while in custody, suggesting that complications related to Covid-19 may have contributed to his death.

Batres Vargas, a Mexican national, had been held at the Central Arizona Correctional Facility in Florence after evading law enforcement in early August, where he faced charges related to possession of a controlled substance.

According to Geronimo Vazquez, the Coconino County superintendent, Batres Vargas grew up in Flagstaff and attended Kilip Elementary School.

This incident marks one of at least 11 deaths reported nationwide during ICE detention this year, occurring amidst the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies.