Overview
- Edwin Jovanny Lopez-Cornejo, held at Delaney Hall after a June 18 arrest, was taken to University Hospital and pronounced dead on Saturday following a reported medical emergency.
- His family says he had diabetes, high blood pressure and seizures and believed he was not getting regular medication while detained; ICE says he received proper medical care and was given his prescribed medication.
- Lawmakers, state officials and immigrant-rights groups called for an independent probe, release of his medical records and the closure of Delaney Hall, and protesters held vigils at the facility gates.
- Delaney Hall is run by the private contractor The GEO Group and has faced hunger strikes, large protests and dozens of federal lawsuits alleging denial of medication and poor medical care, while New Jersey has sued for full inspection access.
- The case adds to a national rise in deaths in ICE custody and highlights disputes over oversight, reporting and transparency that could lead to further legal action and renewed state and congressional scrutiny.