El Salvador Citizen Dies in US Immigration Custody

Washington D.C. A citizen of El Salvador, held at a controversial immigration detention center in the US state of New Jersey, has died. Federal authorities confirmed the incident on Monday, identifying the deceased as 41-year-old Edwin Lopez-Cornejo. This death is the latest in ICE custody, raising serious questions about detention center conditions and detainee safety. According to ICE, Lopez-Cornejo was held at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center, operated by a private company in Newark. On Saturday, while in custody, he experienced a sudden health emergency, prompting immediate treatment by center staff and medical personnel. An ambulance was then called via emergency service 911 and he was transported to University Hospital in Newark. However, doctors declared him dead during treatment. ICE stated in a press release that Lopez-Cornejo received necessary medical care while in custody and that treatment was promptly arranged as soon as a health problem arose. The statement also mentioned that the family and the Consulate of El Salvador in Elizabeth, New Jersey, have been informed of his death. Authorities have not yet publicly released the official cause of Lopez-Cornejo's death. The exact cause of death is expected to be revealed only after an autopsy and further medical examination. The Delaney Hall detention center has been controversial before. Earlier this year, human rights activists, local residents, and immigrant rights groups repeatedly protested, alleging inhumane treatment of immigrants, inadequate healthcare, and poor basic facilities within the detention center. Clashes also occurred between police and protesters during the demonstrations. As the situation escalated, the Mayor of Newark imposed a temporary curfew for some time. Human rights organizations have accused private companies operating detention centers of lacking sufficient government oversight, transparency, and accountability. This is the second death at the Delaney Hall detention center, which became operational in May last year. Previously, in December, another immigrant named Jean Wilson Brutus, 41, died one day after entering custody. At that time, ICE stated that he had experienced a sudden health problem and died of natural causes. With two consecutive deaths, questions are once again being raised about the healthcare services available within the detention center, the emergency treatment system, and the overall condition of detainees. According to US media data, the number of immigrants dying in custody has significantly increased during the strict immigration policies implemented since President Donald Trump returned to power. It is reported that more than 50 immigrants have died in custody since the beginning of Trump's second term, including Lopez-Cornejo and Brutus. The number of deaths in ICE custody in 2025 is said to be the highest in at least two decades, and this number is expected to increase further in 2026. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that the deceased's family deserves clear answers about the incident. She informed through a statement that her administration is collecting all facts of the incident in collaboration with federal lawmakers. Similarly, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called the incident extremely tragic and accused Delaney Hall of repeatedly experiencing such incidents due to a lack of adequate oversight, accountability, and transparency. He had previously demanded an independent investigation into the detention center. According to ICE, Lopez-Cornejo first entered the US illegally in 2006. He was then arrested by US border security and deported to El Salvador the same year. ICE stated that he later re-entered the US illegally at an unknown time. Arrested on June 18 in Plainfield, New Jersey, he was held at the Delaney Hall detention center until his deportation process was completed.