BALDWIN — Nenko Stanev Gantchev, a 56-year-old Bulgarian national, died on Dec. 15 at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, Mich. His death is suspected to be due to natural causes.
Gantchev was discovered unresponsive in his cell during routine checks. Medical staff initiated CPR and contacted emergency medical services, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Born on Oct. 31, 1969, in Bulgaria, Gantchev entered the United States as a J1 exchange visitor on June 16, 1995.
He was arrested for theft by the Chicago Police Department on Oct. 8, 1995 and again on Dec. 3, 1996.
The outcomes of these arrests are unspecified, but Gantchev was granted lawful permanent resident status on May 17, 2005. However, this status was revoked when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denied his application on May 14, 2009.
On Jan. 11, 2023, an immigration judge ordered Gantchev’s removal to Bulgaria. Following his arrest by Enforcement and Removal Operations in Chicago on Sept. 23, 2025, he filed for a bond appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals on Oct. 17, 2025, which was pending at the time of his death.
Consistent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies, notifications were made to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Consulate General of Bulgaria. The consulate communicated with Gantchev’s next of kin regarding his passing. ICE is also required to report in-custody deaths to Congress, relevant stakeholders and to the media.
ICE maintains that it is committed to providing safe and humane environments for all individuals in custody. The agency ensures comprehensive medical care is available, including screenings and emergency care, upon arrival and throughout detainment. Following Gantchev’s death, official reporting will adhere to the 90-day notification requirement as stipulated in the Department of Homeland Security’s Appropriations Act of 2018.