Three South Koreans Die in U.S. Detention; Two Ruled Suicides

Three South Korean nationals have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities, with two of them dying by suicide, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security data.

One of the deceased, 74-year-old Ahn Jung-woong, died in a California facility in May 2020. His family filed a lawsuit alleging that the facility neglected him despite clear signs of suicide risk. Ahn's mental health deteriorated due to fears of COVID-19 complications, and medical staff reported severe suicidal ideation a month before his death. His legal representatives requested his transfer from solitary confinement, but the request was denied. He died six days after his release request was ultimately rejected.

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the facility operator did not provide Mr. Ahn with appropriate and timely medical and mental health treatment.

The family's lawsuit claimed ICE and the facility operator failed to provide adequate medical and mental health care, calling the isolation of a high-suicide-risk individual "illegal." The suit was settled in June of the following year, with terms not disclosed.

Another individual, identified as Mr. Heo (born 1954), died by suicide in a New Jersey facility in 2005. A woman, Ms. Kim (born 1948), died of pancreatic cancer in a New Mexico center in September 2006. Details regarding their arrests, detentions, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths are not available in the records.

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Isolating a high-suicide-risk individual was illegal.