Illegal alien dies at Victorville Medical Center in California after complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome

LOS ANGELES - An illegal alien from Mexico died at Victor Valley Global Medical Center in Victorville Oct. 23. At 7:45 p.m., Gabriel Garcia-Aviles, 56, a Mexican national, was pronounced dead by medical professionals.

ICE arrested Garcia and transferred him to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center Oct. 15. Garcia did not spend the night at Adelanto because that same day Garcia exhibited suspected alcohol withdrawal symptoms and was therefore immediately admitted to the Victor Valley Global Medical Center.

While in the care of Victor Valley Global Medical Center medical professionals, Garcia's condition worsened over the following days, and at approximately 7:35 p.m. Oct. 23, hospital staff declared Garcia unresponsive and initiated life-saving measures. At approximately 7:44 p.m., family members present at the hospital requested that medical staff discontinue resuscitation efforts. Garcia was pronounced dead at 7:45 p.m. Hospital staff attributed the death to cardiac arrest due to alcohol withdrawals.

Upon his arrival at the Adelanto facility, Garcia exhibited symptoms consistent with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including disorientation, confusion and impaired mobility. He informed medical staff that he consumed approximately two pints of liquor daily.

Garcia had a history of multiple unlawful entries into the United States in 2007 and 2008. In 2011, Garcia was arrested by the Costa Mesa Police Department for disorderly conduct.

An immigration judge administratively closed Garcia's removal proceedings in November 2014.

Garcia was arrested multiple times between 2021 and 2025 by the Costa Mesa Police Department for offenses such as providing false identification to a police officer and disorderly conduct. ICE lodged immigration detainers following some of these arrests, but local authorities did not honor them.

On Oct. 14, Garcia-Aviles was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in Santa Ana pursuant to a warrant of arrest. He was transferred to ICE custody at the Santa Ana Hold Rooms pending removal proceedings.