IE Sheriff Addresses ICE-Related Violence, Safety After Mexican National Dies In Custody

ADELANTO, CA — The shooting of three immigrant detainees at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Texas and the recent death of an Inland Empire ICE detainee Monday prompted authorities to increase patrols around ICE Facilities, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus announced Wednesday.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials say they say they are working closely with local, state, and federal partners to monitor the increase in tension at ICE facilities.

Sheriff Shannon Dicus issued the following statement on the department and its intentions, saying:

“With all the violence happening across the country, your deputies remain vigilant. Please partner with us and if you see something, say something, even threats on social media. We will respond in a significant manner to any extremist activity in this county.”

According to Dicus, the department has promised to take "proactive steps to ensure the safety and security of all residents, personnel, and detainees in and around the GEO Adelanto ICE Processing Center."

The statement comes days after a man detained by ICE at a detention center in Adelanto died at an IE hospital.

Ismael Ayala-Uriba, 39, of Mexico, died after being detained by ICE at a privately owned and operated facility in Adelanto. According to an ICE statement, Ayala-Uribe was evaluated regarding an infection on Thursday and returned to his dormitory that day. He was taken to Victor Valley Global Medical Center at noon on Sunday and was slated for surgery. Instead, he died there early Monday.

Ayala-Uribe was listed as hypertensive and displayed abnormal tachycardia, according to the news release regarding his death.

"At 1:48 a.m., the Victor Valley Global Medical Center declared Ayala unresponsive and initiated lifesaving measures. He was declared deceased at 2:32 a.m. by medical staff. "The cause of death is still under investigation."

It was not immediately clear when or where Ayala entered the United States. He was arrested in mid-August during an enforcement action at an undisclosed location and transferred to Adelanto on Aug. 22 for "immigration proceedings."

The Adelanto facility, located in San Bernardino County, is a privately owned and operated immigration detention center run by the GEO Group, and can house up to about 1,900 total immigrant detainees, both male and female. The facility contracts with ICE to provide custody services, the Sheriff's Department stated.

"The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department personnel are not assigned to immigration enforcement and are not assigned to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. However, the facility is in the city of Adelanto, which contracts with the Sheriff’s Department to provide law enforcement services."

The Sheriff’s Department has increased patrols in the areas surrounding the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. SBCSD is actively monitoring potential threats in coordination with our federal partners, according to the statement. These measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution, and there is currently no direct threat to the public or the facility.

According to ICE, 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 screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility. "At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergency care." Following his death, ICE says they notified the Consulate of Mexico, as well as all responsible agencies.

Prior to his death, Ayala-Uribe told his visiting mother that he was ill, attempted to notify the guards who "didn't believe him," LA TACO reported.

To report emergencies, please call 9-1-1. For suspicious activity, please call the non-emergency numbers: Desert Dispatch – 760-956-5001 or Valley Dispatch - 909-387-8313. To remain anonymous, please contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com.