Immigrant Suicide at Eloy Raises Safety Issues

National Public Radio aired a Latino USA segment earlier this year that recounted the journey of 31-year-old Jose de Jesus Deniz Sahagun from Mexico to the Eloy Detention Center in Arizona, where he died by choking on a sock that he shoved down his own throat. Deniz Sahagun’s death, among an unusually high number of deaths and suicides that have occurred at Eloy, raised questions about medical care and safety standards in immigration detention centers, and at Eloy, in particular. Deniz Sahagun was headed for Las Vegas in order to reunite with his children when he turned himself into Border Patrol while approaching a port of entry, stating that he was in danger. Soon after Deniz Sahagun was detained, he became hysterical and jumped from a bench in a holding cell twice, stating that he wanted to kill himself before Border Patrol or drug traffickers could kill him. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent Deniz Sahagun to a Tucson hospital emergency room, who treated him for neck and head injuries. Although he told hospital staff that he had intentionally hurt himself, the he did not receive a psychiatric evaluation. Instead, ICE brought Deniz Sahagun to the Eloy Detention Center. While at Eloy, Deniz Sahagun continued to exhibit bizarre behavior and continued to attempt to hurt himself by banging his head against the wall. A psychologist who examined him at Eloy put him on a 24-hour suicide watch. However, a day later, the psychologist stated that the man seemed better, so he downgraded the man’s status, returned his clothes to him, and kept him in solitary confinement, but with a guard checking on him every 15 minutes. When guards found him unresponsive in his cell, they waited for seven minutes for a protective shield before entering his cell, and immediately handcuffed him before even checking to see if he was still breathing. At Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we have represented the interests of countless clients who are facing deportation proceedings, but who wish to remain with their families in the United States. Fortunately, there are many remedies that may be available if you are facing deportation charges. We will aggressively investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding your case, and help you settle upon the option that is best calculated to allow you and your family to live where you choose. Contact our experienced deportation defense attorneys today, and learn how we can help.