52-year-old Randall Gamboa, a Costa Rican man, sadly died after being deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a vegetative state. His family has found the courage to speak out about their tragic loss. Gamboa moved to the US to find better job opportunities. While in custody, he suffered several health complications, and it gives us great pause to consider how he was cared for and neglected during his time in detention.
Gamboa’s original entry to the U.S.—which occurred without inspection—makes him removable, but he was arrested by ICE in Texas in February. After being initially detained at the Webb County Detention Center, he was moved to the Port Isabel Detention Center. His family said he had been able to call them every day until one day in June he just stopped for unknown reasons. They claimed that efforts to find him were frustrated by a pair of unscrupulous lawyers who bilked them.
By September, officials had deported Gamboa back to Costa Rica. There, they found him nearly at the point of death. He was quickly transported to an emergency room in San José, the capital. After the first stage of treatment, he was sent to a facility in his native Pérez Zeledón. Tragically, Gamboa passed away on October 26.
Family members claimed that the negligence and inhumane treatment he received from U.S. immigration authorities led to his deterioration. While in detention, Gamboa’s health deteriorated rapidly. He fought his way back from encephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and being unable to feed himself.
“The United States needs to realize Randall was not a delinquent – and he was wholly loved. … And he died surrounded by people who loved him.” – Greidy Mata
Mata, a cousin of Gamboa’s, said she was distraught by the failure to share any word about his status. She remembered the way they were told he had a serious medical problem, but then given no other information.
“Someone at the detention center said he had a health issue, and that’s why he wasn’t answering us,” – Greidy Mata
The family testified about their pain as they had to search for updates on Gamboa’s condition until August. They, like so many others, felt deserted and duped by the rule of law.
Former president of Costa Rica, Óscar Arias, has demanded for accountability for Gamboa’s treatment while in U.S. custody.
“Randall Gamboa entered the [U.S.] illegally but in perfect physical condition,” – Óscar Arias
Arias said more transparency is needed as to the events that led to Gamboa’s health deterioration in custody. He called on U.S. officials to offer accountability to Gamboa’s family about the way he was treated.
“Randall’s family deserves to know the truth and to learn what happened when he was in custody of American immigration authorities.” – Óscar Arias
Gamboa has had several previous convictions, including for commercial driver vehicle license fraud. Even so, his family members are adamant that he didn’t deserve the fate he met with. They maintain that the extreme treatment he faced is indicative of a larger problem within the immigration system.
Adriana Ureña, another family member, condemned the medical treatment that Gamboa received in ICE custody as “terrible.”
“The medical treatment that Randall got in the United States … in my opinion was terrible.” – Adriana Ureña
In line with that mission, ICE has repeatedly pledged to prioritize the safety and well-being of those in their custody. McLaughlin, a spokesperson for ICE, pointed out that lawbreakers will be held accountable under today’s immigration enforcement policies.
“Under President Trump and [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences,” – McLaughlin’s statement
McLaughlin reiterated that “criminal illegal immigrants are not welcome in the U.S.” In response, critics maintain that people of all immigration statuses are entitled to humane treatment. They think people in detention deserve proper medical care.