On July 19, 2025, Tien Xuan Phan, a 55-year-old Vietnamese national, died at Methodist Hospital Northeast in San Antonio, Texas, while in ICE custody. Phan’s death, which is still under investigation, has drawn attention to the conditions and medical care in immigration detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸.
Immediate Incident and Medical Response
Tien Xuan Phan was being held at the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center in Karnes City, Texas, when he began showing serious medical symptoms. On July 18, 2025, Phan experienced seizures, vomiting, and became unresponsive. Staff at the facility responded by first taking him to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital. When his condition did not improve, he was airlifted to Methodist Hospital Northeast in San Antonio. Despite medical efforts, Phan was pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m. the following day.
The official cause of death has not yet been released. ICE has stated that a full investigation is underway, and more details will be provided as they become available. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such investigations are standard procedure whenever a detainee dies in ICE custody.
Background: Immigration Status and Detention
Phan’s journey through the immigration system began years before his death. In April 2012, an immigration judge ordered him removed from the United States 🇺🇸. However, Phan did not leave the country after this order. On June 2, 2025, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers arrested him as part of their ongoing efforts to enforce removal orders for individuals who have exhausted all legal options.
Phan’s detention at Karnes County Immigration Processing Center was in line with ICE’s current policies, which focus on detaining individuals with final removal orders. These policies have been the subject of ongoing debate, especially regarding the treatment of detainees with medical or mental health needs.
Official Notifications and Protocols
Following Phan’s death, ICE followed its established notification protocols. The agency informed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Embassy of Vietnam 🇻🇳. Congressional offices, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the public will also be notified. ICE is required to post a public report about the death on its website within two business days, as part of its Detainee Death Reporting requirements.
Families and legal representatives seeking information about detainees can contact ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations or use the ICE Detainee Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024. Public updates and official statements are available through the ICE Newsroom.
Medical Care and ICE Detention Policies
ICE has emphasized its commitment to providing medical care for all detainees. Current procedures require:
- Medical, dental, and mental health screening within 12 hours of arrival at a facility
- A full health assessment within 14 days
- Access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care
When a detainee dies in custody, ICE must conduct a mandatory investigation. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility both review the circumstances. Findings are made public, usually within 90 days, to ensure transparency and accountability.
Despite these policies, advocacy groups and some members of Congress have raised concerns about the quality and timeliness of medical care in ICE facilities. The death of Tien Xuan Phan, along with other recent deaths of Vietnamese nationals in Texas in 2025, has renewed calls for increased oversight and possible alternatives to detention for vulnerable individuals.
Stakeholder Responses and Public Statements
As of July 22, 2025, ICE has not released a detailed public statement beyond confirming Phan’s death and the ongoing investigation. The Embassy of Vietnam 🇻🇳 has been notified, but no public comments from Vietnamese officials have been reported.
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons has recently spoken about ICE’s commitment to detainee safety in other contexts but has not commented specifically on Phan’s case. This silence has led some advocacy groups to call for more transparency and quicker public communication when such incidents occur.
Policy Implications and Community Impact
The death of Tien Xuan Phan is likely to increase scrutiny of ICE detention practices, especially regarding medical care for detainees. Advocacy groups have long argued that detention centers are not equipped to handle serious medical conditions and that alternatives to detention should be considered for people with health problems.
Some key points raised by advocates and policymakers include:
- Oversight: Calls for stronger oversight of ICE facilities to ensure proper medical care and timely response to emergencies.
- Transparency: Demands for faster and more detailed public reporting on deaths and serious incidents in custody.
- Alternatives to Detention: Suggestions that people with serious health conditions should be allowed to remain in the community under supervision rather than being held in detention centers.
While ICE’s current policy requires public notification and investigation for all in-custody deaths, critics argue that more needs to be done to prevent such tragedies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the agency’s public reports are usually released within 90 days, but families and advocates often push for faster answers.
Procedures for Families and Legal Representatives
When a detainee dies in ICE custody, ICE is responsible for notifying the next of kin and working with consular officials from the detainee’s home country. Families who need information or assistance can:
- Contact ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations
- Call the ICE Detainee Reporting and Information Line (1-888-351-4024)
- Check the ICE Newsroom and Detainee Death Notifications sections for updates
These steps are designed to keep families informed and provide a clear process for obtaining information during a difficult time.
Historical Context: Deaths in ICE Custody
Deaths in ICE custody are not new. Over the years, there have been ongoing debates about the standards of medical care, the transparency of investigations, and whether detention is appropriate for certain groups of people. Vietnamese nationals, while a small group among ICE detainees, face unique challenges due to the complexities of repatriation agreements and diplomatic relations between the United States 🇺🇸 and Vietnam 🇻🇳.
In 2025 alone, there have been multiple deaths of Vietnamese nationals in ICE custody in Texas, including a separate case in El Paso in April. These incidents have highlighted the need for careful review of detention practices and the treatment of foreign nationals with complicated immigration histories.
Recent Policy Developments and Oversight
In the past year, ICE has updated its medical screening and care procedures. All detainees must receive an initial health screening within 12 hours of arrival and a full assessment within 14 days. Emergency medical care is available 24 hours a day. When a death occurs, ICE must notify several government agencies and post a public report online.
Congress has mandated these procedures to increase transparency and accountability. The ICE Detainee Death Reporting page is updated regularly with information about in-custody deaths, as required by law.
What Happens Next: Investigation and Reporting
The official cause of Tien Xuan Phan’s death will be determined by ongoing investigations conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility. These agencies will review medical records, staff actions, and facility procedures to determine if proper care was provided and if any changes are needed.
Immigration judge ordered Phan removed from the United States
ICE officers arrested Phan
Phan experienced seizures and was taken to Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital
Phan was airlifted to Methodist Hospital Northeast
Phan pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m.
A public report will be posted on ICE’s website within two business days, with more detailed findings expected within 90 days. Advocacy groups are closely monitoring the situation and may issue their own statements or recommendations once the investigation is complete.
Community and Advocacy Group Reactions
While no new policy changes have been announced in direct response to Phan’s death, the incident is likely to influence ongoing discussions about ICE detention reform. Advocacy groups are expected to use this case as an example in their calls for:
- Improved medical care in detention centers
- Greater use of alternatives to detention for people with health problems
- More frequent and detailed public reporting on deaths and serious incidents
Some members of Congress have also called for hearings and investigations into ICE detention practices, especially in light of multiple deaths in 2025.
Practical Guidance for Families and Representatives
For families and legal representatives affected by deaths in ICE custody, it is important to:
- Stay informed through official ICE channels such as the ICE Newsroom and Detainee Death Notifications
- Contact ICE directly for updates and support
- Work with consular officials from the detainee’s home country for additional assistance
These steps can help families get the information and support they need during a difficult and confusing time.
Looking Forward: Policy and Reform
The death of Tien Xuan Phan at a San Antonio hospital while in ICE custody has once again raised important questions about the treatment of detainees in the United States 🇺🇸. As investigations continue, advocates and policymakers will be watching closely to see if this case leads to changes in how ICE handles medical care, transparency, and alternatives to detention.
For now, ICE’s official procedures remain in place, with mandatory investigations and public reporting requirements. Families and the public can access updates and reports through the ICE website and contact the agency directly for information.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Tien Xuan Phan, a 55-year-old Vietnamese national, died in ICE custody on July 19, 2025, at a San Antonio hospital.
- The cause of death is under investigation, with a public report expected within 90 days.
- ICE has notified all required agencies and the Embassy of Vietnam 🇻🇳, and will post updates on its website.
- Advocacy groups and some members of Congress are calling for increased oversight and alternatives to detention for vulnerable populations.
- Families seeking information should use the ICE Detainee Reporting and Information Line (1-888-351-4024) and check the ICE Newsroom for updates.
As the investigation continues, the case of Tien Xuan Phan will likely remain a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration detention practices in the United States 🇺🇸. For more information and official updates, visit the ICE Newsroom.
By staying informed and engaged, families, advocates, and policymakers can work together to ensure that the rights and well-being of all detainees are protected, and that tragedies like this are fully investigated and addressed.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for detention and removal of immigrants.
Detainee → An individual held in custody by authorities, often pending immigration or legal proceedings.
Removal Order → A legal directive requiring a foreign national to leave the United States.
Office of Inspector General → Government agency auditing and investigating federal programs, including immigration enforcement.
Medical Screening → Initial health evaluation of detainees to identify urgent medical and mental health needs.
This Article in a Nutshell
Tien Xuan Phan died under ICE custody on July 19, 2025, in Texas. His death exposes concerns over detention medical care and policies, spurring calls for reform and increased transparency in immigrant detention centers across the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com
