ICE Jail Giant Faces Trial Over Vulnerable Dad’s Death

A private prison giant will face trial over the COVID-related death of a vulnerable dad held by ICE after symptomatic staff were allowed into his detention center at least 47 times. Martin Vargas Arellano, 55, contracted COVID in December 2020 while detained at the GEO Group-run Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California, PunchUp reports. Vargas Arellano, who had diabetes, liver disease, high blood pressure and other serious health problems, had repeatedly sought release as COVID spread. Instead, court records show symptomatic workers were admitted to Adelanto on at least 47 occasions—a fact a judge says is undisputed. Vargas Arellano developed pneumonia, was hospitalized, and later suffered a stroke that left him brain-dead and comatose. ICE formally released him from custody on March 5, 2021. He died three days later. Trump-appointed Judge John W. Holcomb has now rejected GEO Group’s attempt to end his son’s wrongful-death and negligence case before trial, ruling a jury could find the company’s actions were a “substantial factor” in Vargas Arellano’s injury. PunchUp has contacted GEO Group and ICE for comment.

Tom Latchem exposes the secrets, scandals, and stories that powerful people and institutions want to keep under wraps. Follow all of his reporting at PunchUp on Substack.