Third ICE Detainee Dies in Louisiana Facility Amid Diabetes Care Concerns

Key points

• Carlos Josue Marchena Marchena was found unresponsive on Sept. 18 at Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield, Louisiana, and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
• Family members and a neighboring detainee reported that Marchena complained of missed insulin shots, insufficient food and water, and lack of blood sugar monitoring for his type 1 diabetes.
• Marchena’s condition reportedly worsened after he was transferred from a Michigan detention center to Winn, where he experienced chest pain, vomiting, and chills before his death.
• This is the third detainee death at Winn Correctional Center since April and the 58th ICE detainee death since President Trump took office in January 2025.
• A June 2026 report by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General found Winn Correctional Center violated federal standards for medical care, food service, and use of force.
• ICE stated that Marchena received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals, while the contractor LaSalle Corrections said the death is under review.

Background

ICE detainee deaths have drawn increasing scrutiny since January 2025, with at least 58 deaths reported across facilities. Diabetes has been a contributing factor in at least six of these deaths, and detainees have frequently cited inconsistent access to insulin in court filings. In September 2026, a detainee also died at an ICE facility in Saipan, prompting diplomatic pressure from China. Winn Correctional Center, managed by LaSalle Corrections and the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office, was recently flagged by the DHS Office of Inspector General for failing to meet federal standards, including in medical care and food storage. ICE has agreed to implement several recommendations to improve conditions at the facility.

Why it matters

The death of Carlos Josue Marchena Marchena highlights ongoing concerns about medical care and oversight in ICE detention facilities, particularly for detainees with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes. The incident adds to a growing number of detainee deaths since 2025 and underscores the tension between ICE’s assertion of adequate care and external findings of systemic failures in medical and food services. It also raises questions about the handling of detainees with prior convictions and deportation orders, as well as the broader impact of aggressive deportation policies on vulnerable populations.

What to watch

The official cause of Marchena’s death is pending further medical examination. LaSalle Corrections has stated the death is under review, and ICE has not responded to questions about the denial of Marchena’s request for bail or voluntary deportation. The DHS Office of Inspector General’s recommendations for improving conditions at Winn Correctional Center are being implemented, but the facility’s compliance with federal standards remains under scrutiny. Advocates may continue to push for greater oversight of ICE detention facilities, particularly regarding medical care for detainees with chronic illnesses.