The death of a Bulgarian national in U.S. immigration custody has renewed criticism of the country’s detention system, which has faced heightened scrutiny since Donald Trump’s return to office.
The incident occurred at a privately operated Michigan detention facility, raising concerns about access to medical care and the transparency of subsequent investigations.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed, as reported by The Detroit Free Press, that Nenko Stanev Gantchev, 56, died on Monday, December 15, at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, Michigan. The facility is operated by Geo Group, a private contractor often criticized for its practices in detention centers.
In an official statement, ICE said Mr. Gantchev’s death “is suspected to be due to natural causes,” while noting that “the official cause of death remains under investigation.”
ICE stated the man was found unresponsive during a routine welfare check. Facility medical staff attempted resuscitation and called emergency services, but a physician pronounced him dead.
The announcement drew immediate responses from several lawmakers.
Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters, an influential member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, expressed deep concern. “Individuals in the custody of the United States government must be treated humanely and have access to potentially life-saving medical care,” he said in a statement provided to The Detroit Free Press. He also indicated he had requested “a formal briefing” from ICE to obtain detailed answers.
Senator Peters noted this death is part of a broader pattern, citing multiple deaths in ICE detention facilities nationwide over a short period.
Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington State stated, “30 people have died in ICE detention since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.” She wrote on X, “This is beyond horrifying. We must ensure the dignity and humanity of people detained in this country.”
Nenko Gantchev had lived in the United States for nearly three decades.
Born in Bulgaria in 1969, he entered the United States in June 1995 on a J-1 exchange visa. He was arrested in Chicago for theft a few months later and again in 1996 on similar charges. In 2000, he was arrested in a Chicago suburb for assault and battery. ICE noted that the outcomes of some cases remain unknown.
He was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2005, which was revoked in 2009 after a drunk driving arrest the previous year. In January 2023, an immigration judge ordered his deportation to Bulgaria.
ICE arrested Gantchev on September 23, and he was held pending removal. His bond request was denied on October 8, and he appealed, but died before the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled.
Several progressive lawmakers are calling for a thorough investigation. In a joint statement, Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Delia Ramirez requested “an immediate and transparent investigation,” citing reports that Mr. Gantchev requested medical assistance but did not receive it in time. “Every person deserves dignity and proper care while in detention,” they said.
Immigrant rights organizations share these concerns.
The advocacy group No Detention Centers Michigan called the death “preventable” and criticized a system it says “creates conditions conducive to serious medical emergencies.” These groups view the death as evidence of structural failures in the U.S. immigration detention system.
Facing criticism, ICE maintains it remains “committed to ensuring safe, secure, and humane environments” and asserts that detainees have access to comprehensive medical care, including emergency services, at all times. Geo Group, for its part, referred all questions about the death to the federal agency.
As the investigation continues, Nenko Gantchev’s death adds to the growing number of fatalities contributing to the national debate on immigration policy and detention conditions under the Trump administration.
