PRESS RELEASE: Answers Demanded After Death of Lorenzo Vargas in ICE Custody and Denial of Care for Yari Rodriguez Márquez

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                  

September 8, 2025

PHOENIX – Representative Mariana Sandoval called for answers after the death of Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas on August 31 while in custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Vargas, a 32-year-old Mexican national who lived in Flagstaff and who was being detained in Florence, was the 12th person to die in ICE Custody this year. Sandoval also called for ICE to provide life-saving medical care to Arbella "Yari" Rodriguez Márquez, a legal permanent resident with leukemia who has been in ICE custody in Eloy for five months. Márquez's condition is worsening and she is reportedly being denied access to an oncologist.

"The death of Lorenzo Vargas was tragic and avoidable," Sandoval said. "He was a person in custody, which implies protection under our laws and adequate medical care, which clearly did not happen. The rising toll of deaths in ICE custody – especially in custody of private prison contractors -- cannot be ignored."

Sandoval added, "At same the time, ICE is withholding cancer treatment for Yari Márquez, who has been a legal permanent resident for nearly three decades with no criminal record. She is fighting for her life, in a nightmare situation with no legal or moral justification for being imprisoned. Withholding care from a person with a terminal illness is an unjustified and illegal death sentence. These families deserve answers, and our nation, state and communities deserve accountability."

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