New York, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Santos Reyes-Banegas, a 42-year-old Honduran national, died in ICE custody just a day after his detention in New York. Initial reports suggest liver failure as the cause, but his family raises concerns about his health before custody. Investigations have been initiated, and his family is organizing funeral arrangements while expressing dissatisfaction with how they were informed of his death.
New York – Santos Reyes-Banegas, a 42-year-old Honduran citizen, was found dead in his jail cell last week while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He had been in custody for less than a day, with initial reports indicating that the cause of death was liver failure. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns, particularly from those close to him.
Reyes-Banegas had a history of alcohol consumption, but a former girlfriend, Mary Diaz, insists he was in good health prior to his detention. When they were together in 2014, he maintained a physically demanding lifestyle, which raises questions about how his health could have deteriorated so rapidly while in custody. Diaz noted that Reyes-Banegas’ family learned about his death not from ICE or jail officials but through another inmate, which has led to profound dissatisfaction regarding the communication from authorities about his situation.
The family is currently making arrangements to hold a funeral service in Kentucky before transporting Reyes-Banegas’ remains back to Honduras for burial. His daughter, Juana, is actively collecting donations in a jar to help cover the transportation costs of her father’s body. To support this effort, the family has established a GoFundMe campaign to aid in funeral and travel expenses. Another GoFundMe campaign has been initiated in New York to further assist with these costs.
In response to his unexpected death, ICE has begun an investigation into the events leading to Reyes-Banegas’ passing. This investigation may provide further details about how a man with a challenging history of deportations, having been sent back to Honduras at least four times, ended up in this tragic situation in New York.
Reyes-Banegas was known to have lived in Kentucky in 2019 before being returned to Honduras. The implications of his death have particularly affected his daughter Juana. She expressed deep sadness over the loss of her father, particularly because she has never had the chance to meet him. Diaz, who now has custody of Juana, emphasized the traumatic impact of this event on the young girl.
Diaz has vocalized serious concerns about how Reyes-Banegas was treated in custody and made it clear that he deserved more respect, stating that he was “not a dog; he’s human.” This sentiment echoes a broader call for recognition of the humanity of individuals detained under immigration enforcement, highlighting the emotional toll on families when such tragic events occur.
Background Context
The issue of deaths in ICE custody has garnered increasing attention in recent years, often calling into question the conditions and care provided to detainees. Advocates and family members alike have called for greater accountability and transparency regarding these cases, especially following incidents that have raised health concerns and ethical considerations in the treatment of individuals awaiting immigration proceedings.
FAQ Section
Who was Santos Reyes-Banegas?
Santos Reyes-Banegas was a 42-year-old Honduran citizen who died while in ICE custody in New York. He had a history of alcohol consumption but was reportedly in good health before his detention.
What caused Reyes-Banegas’ death?
The initial report indicates the cause of death was liver failure, but the circumstances around his death are being investigated by ICE.
How is Reyes-Banegas’ family handling his death?
His family is planning a funeral service in Kentucky and has set up GoFundMe campaigns to help cover transportation and funeral expenses for his remains.
Key Features of the Post
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Subject | Santos Reyes-Banegas |
| Age | 42 |
| Death Circumstance | Died in ICE custody, less than a day after detention |
| Initial Cause of Death | Liver failure |
| Family Response | Organizing funeral and transportation via GoFundMe |
| Investigation | ICE is currently investigating the death |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WKYT
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- WNKY
- Google Search: ICE detainees
- LEX18
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Charlotte Observer
- Google News: death in ICE custody
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