Detainee Testifies of Guard's Brutal Slam to Ground as Cuban Immigrant Geraldo Lunas Campos Dies in ICE Custody
Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban immigrant who died under mysterious circumstances in January at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Texas, was heard pleading for his asthma medication just moments before guards allegedly slammed him to the ground.
According to sworn declarations from detainees, Campos had requested his medication while in line, but when he asked again later, he was met with a brutal response. "The guard then said, 'Shut up or we're going to make you faint,'" one detainee, Henry Bolano, wrote in both English and Spanish.
Bolano claimed that the last thing Campos heard before being silenced was his own voice, barely audible as he begged for air, saying "Let go of me. You're asphyxiating me."
The eerie silence that followed is a stark contrast to what another detainee, Santo Jesus Flores, described. He stated that after Campos' plea, there was an intense struggle, which sounded like the slamming of someone's body against the floor or wall.
"I heard Geraldo scream that he could not breathe," Flores said. "I could hear them trying to revive him, but they could not keep him alive."
It remains unclear whether any guards were involved in Campos' death, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has declined comment on the matter.
Campus was a Cuban immigrant who died at the facility after experiencing medical distress, according to DHS. However, an autopsy report revealed that he died from asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.
In light of the new evidence presented by detainees' statements, attorneys for Campos' family have filed an emergency petition to prevent alleged witnesses from being deported, citing reports alleging that guards at the facility choked and asphyxiated him.
Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban immigrant who died under mysterious circumstances in January at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Texas, was heard pleading for his asthma medication just moments before guards allegedly slammed him to the ground.
According to sworn declarations from detainees, Campos had requested his medication while in line, but when he asked again later, he was met with a brutal response. "The guard then said, 'Shut up or we're going to make you faint,'" one detainee, Henry Bolano, wrote in both English and Spanish.
Bolano claimed that the last thing Campos heard before being silenced was his own voice, barely audible as he begged for air, saying "Let go of me. You're asphyxiating me."
The eerie silence that followed is a stark contrast to what another detainee, Santo Jesus Flores, described. He stated that after Campos' plea, there was an intense struggle, which sounded like the slamming of someone's body against the floor or wall.
"I heard Geraldo scream that he could not breathe," Flores said. "I could hear them trying to revive him, but they could not keep him alive."
It remains unclear whether any guards were involved in Campos' death, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has declined comment on the matter.
Campus was a Cuban immigrant who died at the facility after experiencing medical distress, according to DHS. However, an autopsy report revealed that he died from asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.
In light of the new evidence presented by detainees' statements, attorneys for Campos' family have filed an emergency petition to prevent alleged witnesses from being deported, citing reports alleging that guards at the facility choked and asphyxiated him.
this is getting outta hand... I mean, i feel bad 4 Geraldo's fam, but can we take a step back? like, what even happened here? was it intentional or accidental?ICE needs to get its act together & figure out what went wrong. all this drama is just bringing up more questions 
...can't believe a human life was lost like this in ICE custody it's just horrific...I keep thinking about Campos' words "Let go of me. You're asphyxiating me" 
it's hard to imagine what he went through those last few minutes...the guards allegedly slammed him down and that's when his life slipped away 
...what's the point of even having a justice system if people like this are getting away with such brutality? 
it's just not fair how they treated him at that ICE facility 
he was just trying to get some meds for his asthma 
and what happens? brutal slam to the ground 
gotta wonder if anyone's gonna get held accountable for this 
can't imagine how scared and alone those detainees must've felt in that situation 
and now they're fighting for justice 
OMG this is so messed up! I mean what kind of place does that? A guy just asks for his meds and gets slammed to the ground like he's a rag doll? 
That's just cruel. Can we please have some answers on this one?
, a life lost in the system... but at least his memory lives on through the brave detainees who spoke out 
, maybe justice will finally be served for Geraldo 
, can't imagine how scary & helpless he must've felt in that moment 
, so our loved ones never have to go through what Geraldo's family is going through right now 
.
can't believe this is happening in our country 
it sounds like a cover-up to me 
. the fact that guards were allegedly slammed to the ground and then tried to revive him without saving his life is just... 
what kind of system allows this to happen?
.
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