Immigrant and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organizations participated in a Los Angeles vigil for Victoria Arellano, a transgender immigrant afflicted with HIV/AIDS who died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. The action took place at the downtown federal building on Aug. 29.
Arellano, 23, died on July 20 after ICE agents denied her access to AIDS medication that would have saved her life. The vigil was organized by Bienestar, a service oriented organization that deals with issues of HIV/AIDS care in the LGBT and Latino communities. mobilized for and attended the vigil.
ICE has no enforceable detention standards. Lack to access of medical care in detention facilities is systemic and not incidental. In Arellano’s case, this repression against undocumented workers was amplified by discrimination against her for being a transgender woman. Ultimately, it caused her unjust death.
Sixty-two immigrants have died under ICE custody since 2004, many from the lack of adequate medical care.
