Have you ever smelled a cadaver? For the family of Randall Gamboa Esquivel, the question is not hypothetical. It’s a haunting reality inextricably linked to the last days of a man they remember as vibrant and healthy. Gamboa, who left Costa Rica in December 2024 seeking a better life, ended up deported back to his home country in a vegetative state in September 2025, only to die shortly after. Now, his family is demanding answers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about the circumstances that led to his tragic decline while in their custody.

The case highlights a growing concern surrounding the medical care and treatment of detainees within the U.S. immigration system. Gamboa's story, while uniquely heartbreaking, underscores systemic issues that advocates and legal experts have been raising for years. The core question is simple: how did a man who crossed the border in good health deteriorate so drastically in less than a year while under the care of ICE?

Randall Gamboa Esquivel's journey began with hope. He had previously lived in the U.S. without documentation from 2002 to 2013 and was attempting to return after a period back in Costa Rica. His decision to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in December 2024 led to his detention by U.S. authorities for unlawful re-entry. He was initially held at the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo, Texas, before being transferred to the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, Texas.

What followed remains shrouded in uncertainty. The family alleges that Gamboa's health rapidly declined while in detention. They claim that communication with him became increasingly difficult, and reports from ICE offered little clarity. By the time of his deportation in September 2025, Gamboa was reportedly unresponsive and required constant medical care. The family was devastated to receive him in such a deteriorated state.

"We received him as if he were already dead," a family member stated, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal. "The smell... it was the smell of death. How could they do this to him?"

The Gamboa case is not an isolated incident. Numerous reports and lawsuits have documented allegations of inadequate medical care, delayed treatment, and unsanitary conditions within ICE detention facilities. These issues are often compounded by the complex legal and logistical challenges faced by detainees, many of whom lack access to legal representation or face language barriers.

"The lack of transparency surrounding medical care in ICE detention is deeply concerning," says Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a physician who has provided pro bono medical services to detainees. "It's difficult to assess the quality of care being provided, and detainees often face significant obstacles in accessing necessary treatment."

The situation is further complicated by the decentralized nature of ICE detention. The agency contracts with a variety of private prison companies and local jails to house detainees, leading to inconsistencies in standards of care and oversight. This patchwork system makes it difficult to hold individual facilities accountable for alleged abuses.

The Gamboa family is now seeking a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention and death. They hope that their story will shed light on the broader issues within the ICE detention system and prompt meaningful reforms. They are also exploring legal options to hold ICE accountable for what they believe was a failure to provide adequate medical care.

Looking ahead, the Gamboa case underscores the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability within the U.S. immigration detention system. Advocates are calling for independent oversight of ICE detention facilities, improved access to medical care for detainees, and a more humane approach to immigration enforcement. The death of Randall Gamboa Esquivel serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of current policies and the importance of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, are treated with dignity and respect.