Illegal alien from Bulgaria passes away at North Lake Processing Center, natural causes suspected

BALDWIN, Mich. - Nenko Stanev Gantchev, a 56-year-old criminal illegal alien from Bulgaria, died in ICE custody Dec. 15 at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin. He was pronounced deceased at approximately 9:54 p.m. His death is suspected to be from natural causes, the official cause of death is still under investigation.

According to initial reports, Gantchev was discovered unresponsive on the floor of his cell during routine checks. Facility medical staff responded, began CPR and contacted local emergency medical services. EMS personnel arrived at the facility and continued medical care, and a physician pronounced him deceased.

Gantchev was born Oct. 31, 1969, in Bulgaria, and is a citizen of Bulgaria.

Gantchev was arrested by Chicago Police Department in Chicago, for theft, Oct. 8, 1995, following his June 16, 1995, admission into the U.S. as an J1 exchange visitor. The disposition of that arrest is unknown. Gantchev was arrested again, Dec. 3, 1996, by CPD for theft. On Jan. 21, 1997, the Cook Circuit Court, Chicago, disposed of the theft charges with leave to reinstate.

On March 28, 2000, the River Grove Polic Department, Village of River Grove, Ill., arrested Gantchev for assault and battery. On Aug. 8, 2000, the Cook County Circuit Court disposed of the assault and battery charges with leave to reinstate.

Gantchev was approved and was granted lawful permanent residence status May 17, 2005, by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

On May 22, 2008, Gantchev was arrested by Park Ridge Police Department, Park Ridge, Ill., for driving under the influence. The disposition is unknown.

USCIS denied Gantchev's LPR status, May 14, 2009, and on Jan. 11, 2023, an immigration judge ordered Gantchev a removed to Bulgaria. On Sept. 23, 2025, Gantchev was arrested by ERO Chicago pursuant to a warrant of arrest and detained him pending removal proceedings.

On Oct. 8, 2025, and IJ denied Gantchev's custody re-determination and Gantchev filed a bond appeal with BIA, Oct. 17, 2025, which remained pending until his death.

Consistent with ICE policy, ERO notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center. ERO has made the appropriate consular notifications to the Consulate General of Bulgaria in accordance with international and domestic laws, and the Consul General provided notification to Gantchev's next of kin.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, the media upon an official report of an in-custody alien death and posts a news release with relevant details on the ICE public website. You may access this information in ICE.gov's Newsroom. Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 require ICE to publicize all reports regarding in-custody deaths within 90 days.

You may access these reports on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care.

For more information about ICE, its mission and operations, visit ICE.gov.