Clayton County, Georgia, January 17, 2026
Heber Sanchez Dominguez, a 34-year-old Mexican national, was found unresponsive at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Clayton County. He is reported to have died by apparent suicide while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Mexican Consulate is seeking a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, which marks the fifth death in ICE custody in the U.S. within the first few weeks of the year.
Clayton County
A Mexican national, Heber Sanchez Dominguez, 34, died on January 14, 2026, while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Lovejoy, Clayton County, Georgia. Authorities discovered Sanchez Dominguez unresponsive in his sleeping quarters around 2:05 a.m. and he was subsequently pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. ICE has reported the incident as an apparent suicide, though the official cause of death remains under investigation.
The Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta was informed of the death on January 14 and has promptly engaged with the ICE field office in Atlanta, initiating efforts to understand the circumstances that led to this profound loss. The consulate has formally requested a transparent investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for clarity and thoroughness. Expressing deep condolences, the consulate has pledged full consular support to Sanchez Dominguez’s family, assisting them in this time of sorrow. Arrangements are also being made to facilitate the return of his remains to Mexico, honoring the wishes of his grieving family.
Details of Detention and Prior Encounters
Sanchez Dominguez’s journey into ICE custody began on January 7, when he was arrested by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for driving without a license. Following this arrest, he was transferred into federal immigration detention. Records indicate that Sanchez Dominguez had initially entered the United States near Nogales, Arizona, in December 2023. At that time, U.S. Border Patrol agents detained him and issued a notice to appear for an immigration violation, after which he was released without bond. Upon his transfer to the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility, he underwent an intake medical evaluation, which reportedly showed no signs of distress. He had been in ICE custody for six days, awaiting a hearing, when his death occurred.
Broader Context of Deaths in Custody
This incident in Clayton County marks a sobering continuation of a troubling pattern observed across the nation. Heber Sanchez Dominguez is the fifth individual to die in ICE custody in the U.S. within the first sixteen days of 2026. In Georgia alone, this is the third instance of a Mexican national dying in ICE custody over the past year, highlighting a persistent concern for the welfare of detainees in the state.
The broader landscape of immigration detention reveals an escalating number of individuals held in custody. ICE data indicates that more than 68,000 adults were in detention nationwide by the end of December 2025, a significant increase from approximately 36,000 a year prior. This rise in detention figures coincides with a concerning trend in fatalities. Department of Homeland Security records show at least four deaths in ICE custody during the initial ten days of January 2026. The year 2025 was notably described as the deadliest in two decades for detainees, with a reported minimum of 30 deaths nationwide.
The Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility, where Sanchez Dominguez died, is privately owned by Clayton County and operated by the GeoGroup, a private correctional company. These events underscore the continuous scrutiny surrounding conditions and oversight within immigration detention facilities, and the profound human consequences embedded within such systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in ICE custody in Clayton County, Georgia?
A Mexican national named Heber Sanchez Dominguez, 34, died in ICE custody in Clayton County, Georgia.
Where did the death occur?
The death occurred at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility in Lovejoy, Clayton County, Georgia.
When was the individual found and pronounced dead?
Heber Sanchez Dominguez was found unresponsive around 2:05 a.m. on January 14, 2026, and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
What has ICE reported as the apparent cause of death?
ICE has reported the incident as an apparent suicide, stating he was discovered “hanging by the neck and unresponsive in his sleeping quarters”.
What action is the Mexican Consulate taking?
The Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta is demanding a transparent investigation, maintaining communication with the ICE field office in Atlanta, requesting clarification of the circumstances, providing consular support to the family, and working to repatriate his remains to Mexico.
How many deaths have occurred in ICE custody in the U.S. in early 2026?
Heber Sanchez Dominguez is the fifth person to die in ICE custody in the U.S. in the first 16 days of 2026. Department of Homeland Security records indicate at least four people died in ICE custody in the first 10 days of January 2026.
How many Mexican nationals have died in ICE custody in Georgia over the last year?
This is the third Mexican national to die in ICE custody in Georgia over the last year.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Deceased Individual | Heber Sanchez Dominguez, 34-year-old Mexican national | Individual |
| Location of Death | Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility, Lovejoy, Clayton County, Georgia | State-level |
| Date of Discovery | January 14, 2026, around 2:05 a.m. | Event Specific |
| Reported Cause of Death | Apparent suicide (under investigation) | Event Specific |
| Consular Involvement | Mexican Consulate General in Atlanta requesting transparent investigation, supporting family, repatriating remains | International/State-level |
| Previous ICE Custody Encounters | Entered U.S. December 2023 near Nogales, Arizona; detained by Border Patrol; released with notice to appear. Arrested January 7, 2026, for driving without a license; transferred to ICE custody. | Individual/Event Specific |
| Total ICE Custody Deaths (Early 2026) | Fifth person nationwide in the first 16 days of 2026. At least four in first 10 days of January 2026. | Nationwide |
| Mexican National Deaths in Georgia ICE Custody (Last Year) | Third instance | State-level |
| Increase in ICE Detainees | Over 68,000 adults in custody end of December 2025 (up from ~36,000 a year prior) | Nationwide |
| Facility Ownership/Operation | Privately owned by Clayton County, run by GeoGroup | State-level/Local |
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Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
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