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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her administration will file a formal complaint in the United States over the death of 56-year-old Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias, a lawful permanent resident who died Saturday while in ICE custody at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas.
The death of Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias has triggered an immediate diplomatic response from Mexico City while his family and federal immigration officials offer conflicting accounts of the medical care he received before passing away. Immigration authorities stated that he received proper medical attention and was seen by professionals during his months in detention. His relatives insist his chronic illnesses were ignored.
Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias and the Detention History in Laredo
Andrade-Covarrubias had lived in Dallas for decades, working as a contractor who painted apartments and townhomes, and was the father of three adult children born in the United States. Federal immigration records show that he was detained on June 26 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge port of entry in Laredo while returning to Texas from Mexico. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained him under the belief that he had obtained his lawful permanent resident status fraudulently by omitting a 2004 arrest for theft of property during his review process. Online court records indicated that he was scheduled to appear at an immigration hearing on November 2, 2026, to face removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
On Saturday, October 17, security personnel found him unresponsive in his bed during a routine morning check at the Rio Grande Processing Center in south Laredo. Staff initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and called emergency medical services from the Laredo Fire Department. Despite those measures, he was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m. The Webb County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.
Family Allegations of Medical Neglect Versus Agency Statements
Estefani Andrade, the daughter of Andrade-Covarrubias, told reporters that her father suffered from a heart condition, diabetes, and high blood pressure. She stated that he had carried necessary medications with him when detained in June, but that detention staff would not give him his medications. She also noted that he developed a persistent cough and experienced breathing difficulties and chest tightness, concerns that she said were dismissed by medical personnel at the facility. The family was especially anxious because he had been hospitalized with COVID-19 in 2021, which left lasting effects on his health.
In contrast, federal authorities maintained that the facility provides continuous care. According to the agency’s official statement, all individuals processed into the system receive medical, dental, and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arrival, followed by a comprehensive health assessment within 14 days, with access to 24-hour emergency care.
President Sheinbaum and Diplomatic Demands From Mexico
During her morning press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned racism against Mexican migrants and announced that her government would file a complaint with United States authorities. She stated that the filing aims to secure human rights protections for citizens abroad and reaffirmed that her administration would always stand as an ally to the Mexican community.
… As we have always said, [migrants] are heroes and heroines for us because they left their towns and cities to seek a better life and support their families.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, via Mexico News Daily
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Mexican Consulate General in Laredo, activated its protection protocol upon learning of the death. The ministry demanded a prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation from U.S. authorities and announced plans to submit a formal complaint to the prosecutor in Webb County. Mexican officials also stated that the embassy would seek guaranteed consular access to immigration detention facilities.
Congressional Inquiries and In-Custody Mortality Statistics
U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, visited the Rio Grande Processing Center on Sunday to inspect intake procedures, medical facilities, and monitoring equipment. Cuellar noted that while staff showed him examination rooms, doctors, nurses, and dental services, they could not discuss specific details regarding the case because the investigation remained ongoing.
Any death in federal custody is a serious matter, and we need to know what happened.
Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), via Click2Houston
Cuellar also spoke about conflicting reports surrounding the medical attention provided before the death.
But the question is that they do it in this case. Now I do have a couple audios from people that said that he was asking for medicine and that he was not given the medicine. So again, there’s, you know, one side has one story. The other person has another story.
Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo), via FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth
According to tallies cited by Mexican authorities, the death of Andrade-Covarrubias brings to 18 the number of Mexican nationals who have died in immigration custody or during enforcement operations since January 20, 2025. Locally, his death marks the seventh in ICE custody in Texas during 2026 and the second at a Laredo immigration facility this year, following the June 19 death of Felix Alcorta-Rodriguez at the Webb County Detention Center.
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