Federal authorities announced on Wednesday that an Indian national awaiting deportation following his unauthorized entry into the United States has passed away at a medical facility in Atlanta. The Indian Consulate in New York and the next of kin of the deceased, Jaspal Singh, 57, have been informed of his demise, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Singh’s death occurred at an Atlanta hospital on April 15, while an autopsy is being conducted to establish the exact cause of death, ICE stated. Singh, a citizen of India, initially entered the United States through legal means on October 25, 1992. On January 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered his expulsion from the United States. At some point thereafter, Singh departed from the country voluntarily.

Subsequently, on June 29, 2023, US Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol officers apprehended Singh while he was attempting to reenter the United States unlawfully at the US-Mexico border. Following his capture, Border Patrol transferred Singh’s custody to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Atlanta. He remained confined in a federal processing facility in Atlanta as his immigration proceedings were ongoing.

When an immigrant passes away in a detention center, ERO is obligated to notify Congress, involved nongovernmental organizations, and the press, and issue a news release detailing pertinent information on its public website within two business days.