Immigrant dies in New Jersey ICE custody, 22nd death this year

An immigrant held at the Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey has died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, marking the 22nd such death this year.

Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, 41, originally from El Salvador, died on August 1. He had been arrested by ICE agents on June 18 and detained at Delaney Hall pending deportation. ICE stated that Lopez-Cornejo suffered an unspecified "medical emergency" less than two months after his arrival and was later pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark.

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I never got to see him. He didn’t get to see his daughter for six weeks. When we told her what happened, she let out a big scream and hasn’t been the same since. She can’t sleep or eat. Neither can I. I never imagined he would die in that place. I’m just destroyed. I have so much hurt in my heart.

Lopez-Cornejo's mother, Maria Cornejo, told the New Jersey Monitor that her son had been employed since 2022 and attempted to show officers his work permit before his detention. She expressed devastation, stating, "I never imagined he would die in that place. I’m just destroyed. I have so much hurt in my heart."

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GEO group and ICE have repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for transparency, public oversight and the laws designed to protect the health, safety and dignity of those in their custody. When accountability is absent, tragedies become all too common.

Delaney Hall has faced intense scrutiny and protests in recent months due to allegations of mistreatment, including physical abuse by guards and the provision of spoiled food. These concerns led to a hunger and labor strike by at least 300 detainees in late May, followed by a similar strike from women in a separate unit.

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka called for the facility's closure following the announcement of Lopez-Cornejo's death. "GEO Group and ICE have repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for transparency, public oversight and the laws designed to protect the health, safety and dignity of those in their custody," Baraka said in a statement. "When accountability is absent, tragedies become all too common."

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We cannot allow these disturbing failures to continue unchecked. We must speak out against these injustices, demand answers and continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall.