Have you ever smelled a cadaver? For the family of Randall Gamboa Esquivel, the question is not hypothetical, but a haunting reality. They are desperately seeking answers after Gamboa, a Costa Rican man, was deported from the United States in a vegetative state and died shortly after returning to his home country. The family alleges that his health deteriorated drastically while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and they are demanding transparency and accountability.

Randall Gamboa Esquivel's story began with hope. In December 2024, he left Costa Rica, a healthy man seeking opportunity in the United States. He crossed the border from Mexico, hoping to rebuild a life he had once known. Gamboa had previously lived undocumented in the US from 2002 to 2013. His attempt to return, however, led to his detention by US authorities for unlawful re-entry.

Gamboa was initially held at the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo, Texas, before being transferred to the Port Isabel Detention Center in Los Fresnos, also in South Texas. What happened during the nearly ten months he spent in these facilities remains shrouded in mystery, a mystery his family is determined to unravel.

The core of the family's concern lies in the stark contrast between the man who entered ICE custody and the man who was deported. According to his family, Gamboa was in good health when he crossed the border. However, when he was deported in September 2025, he was in a vegetative state, unable to communicate or care for himself. The family believes that the conditions of his detention and the medical care he received, or rather the lack thereof, contributed to his rapid decline.

This case highlights a growing concern regarding the medical care provided to detainees in ICE facilities. Advocacy groups have long criticized the agency for inadequate healthcare, delayed treatment, and a lack of transparency. Stories of detainees suffering from treatable conditions that worsen due to neglect are not uncommon. The Gamboa case, however, is particularly alarming due to the severity of his condition upon deportation.

"The family is devastated and desperate for answers," says a representative from Todos por Costa Rica, an organization supporting the family. "They want to know what happened to Randall during those ten months. What kind of medical care did he receive? Why was he deported in such a condition? These are questions that ICE needs to answer."

The Gamboa case also raises questions about the ethical implications of deporting individuals in severely compromised health. Should a person in a vegetative state, unable to consent or advocate for themselves, be deported? Legal experts argue that such actions may violate international human rights laws and principles of humanitarian treatment.

Looking ahead, the Gamboa case could have significant implications for ICE's detention policies and medical protocols. It may prompt increased scrutiny of the healthcare provided in detention centers and lead to calls for greater transparency and accountability. Furthermore, it could fuel the ongoing debate about the ethical responsibilities of immigration authorities towards vulnerable detainees. The family's pursuit of answers may not bring Randall back, but it could potentially prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future, ensuring that others are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.