Francisco Gaspar-Andrés, a 48-year-old Guatemalan man, died on December 3, 2025, at a hospital in El Paso, Texas, after being detained at the Fort Bliss army base. His wife, Lucía Pedro Juan, was deported to Guatemala without the opportunity to see him before his death. This incident marks the first known fatality in ICE custody at this facility, which has faced increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and immigration advocates due to allegations of inhumane conditions.

ICE attributed the cause of Gaspar-Andrés's death to natural liver and kidney failure, asserting that he received constant medical care during his detention. However, an autopsy report indicated that he suffered from complications related to alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis, a condition resulting from long-term alcohol use. The Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Gaspar-Andrés and Pedro Juan had lived in the United States for over 18 years before being detained during a traffic stop in Florida in September 2025. Following their arrest, Gaspar-Andrés was hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal before being transferred to the Fort Bliss facility. His health deteriorated significantly, leading to his hospitalization on November 16, 2025, where he ultimately succumbed to organ failure.

Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, representing the El Paso area, has expressed grave concerns regarding the conditions at the Fort Bliss facility, citing reports of inadequate medical care, poor living conditions, and insufficient oversight. Escobar has written multiple letters to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE, highlighting the need for improved treatment of detainees and accountability for the facility's operations.

In her communications, Escobar noted that detainees reported issues such as spoiled food, lack of access to necessary medications, and extended detention periods beyond the intended short-term stays. Experts have warned that the oversight mechanisms for DHS have been weakened, potentially allowing for human rights violations within immigration detention facilities.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also raised alarms about the medical care provided at Fort Bliss, suggesting that the facility's conditions may contribute to preventable deaths among detainees. Advocacy groups have called for immediate reforms to ensure the humane treatment of individuals in immigration custody, particularly in light of Gaspar-Andrés's case, which underscores the urgent need for systemic change within the immigration detention system.

In a separate context, the United States is projected to experience a historic decline in murder rates, with estimates indicating the largest one-year drop ever recorded. Crime statistics expert Jeff Asher reports that new national data suggest a nearly 20% reduction in killings compared to the same period in 2024. This decline is attributed to a strategic shift within the FBI towards addressing violent crime, with FBI Director Kash Patel stating that the homicide rate for 2025 is expected to be the lowest in modern history.

While major cities have reported significant drops in murder rates, some jurisdictions have experienced increases, highlighting the variability in crime trends. This data emerges as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been conducting operations in various areas, including Minneapolis, where a McDonald's restaurant has implemented new security measures due to rising crime concerns. The local owner confirmed that the restaurant has resorted to locking its dining room during business hours to ensure safety for customers and staff, reflecting broader anxieties about public safety in urban environments.