Man dies while in ICE custody in Arizona

(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says a detainee from Flagstaff died in custody last week.

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) say 32-year-old Lorenzo Vargas was pronounced dead Sunday, September 1 at the Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa.

He had been staying at the Central Arizona Correctional Complex in Florence.

DHS says Vargas was a Mexican citizen who was arrested in early August by Flagstaff Police and charged with drug paraphernalia use.

His cause of death is still under investigation.

Arizona State Representative Mariana Sandoval (D-District 23) issued a statement calling for answers regarding Vargas' death saying:

"The death of Lorenzo Vargas was tragic and avoidable. 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."

In addition, Rep. Sandoval is also calling on ICE "to provide life-saving medical care to Arbella 'Yari' Rodriguez Márquez," who is a legal U.S. citizen battling leukemia, and has been in ICE custody in Eloy for five months.

"At the same 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," Sandoval expressed.