PHOENIX, Ariz. — A 52-year-old woman from China reportedly died by suicide while in U.S. Border Patrol custody at a detention facility in Yuma, according to officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The woman, who was initially detained in California for overstaying a B1/B2 visitor visa, was later transferred to Arizona. Her death occurred on March 29.
CBP confirmed the incident Friday and said that while all holding cells are under constant video surveillance, the suicide occurred in a bathroom stall, limiting agents’ ability to monitor the situation due to privacy constraints.
Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Custody Procedures
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) released a statement Wednesday, criticizing potential lapses in CBP’s detainee welfare procedures.
“This detainee died by suicide, and initial reports have indicated that certain CBP procedures to ensure the safety and welfare of individuals in custody were not conducted,” Jayapal said. “There is no excuse for why agents cannot verify if some of the necessary welfare checks occurred – or why some of the documented welfare checks were incorrectly reported.”
Investigation Underway
CBP says a full investigation is ongoing and pledged transparency in sharing further details.
“All in-custody deaths are tragic, taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated by CBP,” a spokesperson stated.
This incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Border Patrol detention conditions, particularly regarding mental health support and monitoring protocols for individuals in custody.
