Cambodian man dies in US immigration custody — seventh death this year

A Cambodian man died in US immigration custody this week, marking the seventh detainee death this year under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE opened an investigation Wednesday into the death, though they haven't released details about the man's identity, cause of death, or how long he was detained. The agency operates detention facilities across the US for immigrants facing deportation proceedings.

What this means for travelers

This highlights the serious consequences of immigration violations in the US. Overstaying visas, working without authorization, or other immigration violations can lead to detention and deportation proceedings.

For Southeast Asian travelers, deportation cases often involve long detention periods while countries process travel documents. Cambodia has been slow to accept deportees in recent years, meaning longer detention times.

The bigger picture

Seven deaths in custody this year is already significant — and it's only February. ICE detention conditions have faced ongoing criticism from human rights groups.

The agency holds around 35,000 people in detention facilities nationwide at any given time. Many are asylum seekers or people with expired visas waiting for immigration court hearings.

For context: The US immigration court system has a backlog of over 1.5 million cases, meaning people can wait years for their hearings while in detention.

What travelers should know

If you're traveling to the US from Thailand or anywhere in Southeast Asia:

• Visa overstays are taken seriously — even a few days can trigger detention
• Working on a tourist visa can lead to deportation proceedings
• Border officers have broad discretion to deny entry or detain travelers
• Legal representation is crucial but not guaranteed in immigration cases

The investigation into this latest death will likely take months. ICE is required to report custody deaths to Congress, but details often remain limited.

This story matters because it shows the real risks of immigration violations. What starts as an overstayed visa can escalate quickly in the current enforcement climate.

Source: Khaosod English

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Source: Cambodian man dies in ICE custody as US probes seventh detainee death this year