Death of Peruvian immigrant in ICE custody

Julian Curo Churata, a 47-year-old Peruvian citizen and carpenter, died on September 29 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe, Louisiana.

Churata had lived in the United States for 17 years and was working in construction with a valid permit while his legal status was being processed. He was detained by Enforcement and Removal Operations agents in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 27 following traffic violations and a financial dispute.

ICE officials reported that guards discovered Churata during a “medical emergency” the day before his death, after which he was transported to Ochsner LSU Health Monroe Medical Center. His widow, Verónica Ramírez, stated that he was in good health prior to detention and noted that she learned of his death through a funeral home rather than immigration authorities. While the exact cause of death remains undetermined pending autopsy results, civil rights advocates have raised concerns regarding medical emergencies within detention facilities.