The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed the death of a 41-year-old Salvadoran national while in federal custody.
Edwin Lopez-Cornejo died on August 1 at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, after suffering a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility, where he was being held pending removal.
According to an ICE statement, medical personnel and facility staff responded to the emergency and called 911, but the official cause of death remains pending a formal medical examination.
Lopez-Cornejo was first apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol for entering the U.S. without inspection in 2006, and was later deported to El Salvador before re-entering the country illegally and being arrested in New Jersey in June.
ICE officials stated that Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care during his detention, and that the agency had notified the relevant oversight offices, the Consulate of El Salvador, and his next of kin.
The death of Lopez-Cornejo has drawn swift condemnation from New Jersey officials, who have reiterated demands to shut down Delaney Hall.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill issued a statement expressing her deep concern and calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that "My administration is working with our congressional delegation to gather all the facts surrounding this death."
Similarly, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka condemned the incident, stating that "In less than a year, yet another family is forced to endure the unimaginable loss of a loved one while in custody at Delaney Hall."
Delaney Hall has faced repeated criticism for its handling of detainee health and safety, including accusations of obstructing inspections and providing inadequate medical care, which has led to ongoing protests and detainee hunger strikes.
