Dallas resident Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias died at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo on Saturday, October 17, 2026. He was 56 years old. This marks the seventh death in ICE custody this year. According to Newsweek, Andrade-Covarrubias was a lawful permanent resident. He was originally from Mexico.
Federal agents found him unresponsive in his bed on Saturday morning. Staff performed chest compressions. They also called emergency services. He was declared dead about 20 minutes later. The cause of Andrade-Covarrubias’ death remains unknown. An autopsy is pending with the Webb County Medical Examiner.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents detained Andrade-Covarrubias on June 26 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge in Laredo. He was returning to the United States from Mexico at that time. Agents claimed he obtained his legal status through fraudulent means. They alleged he failed to disclose a 2004 arrest for theft.
Andrade-Covarrubias’ daughter has disputed the officials’ claims
Federal officials said Andrade-Covarrubias was in removal proceedings. He was waiting for a hearing before an immigration judge. The Texas Tribune reports that a hearing was set for November 2. His daughter, Estefani Andrade, disputes the claims of fraud. She stated her father brought up his criminal record during the application process, adding that immigration officials approved his green card application regardless.
Andrade-Covarrubias lived in Dallas for decades. He raised three children there, working as a painter for apartments and townhomes. He traveled to Mexico often to build a house there and planned to return to Mexico eventually…