A 41-year-old Salvadoran man has died in federal custody after experiencing a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. According to a statement released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Edwin Lopez-Cornejo was pronounced dead on August 1 at University Hospital in Newark. The cause of death remains under investigation, pending further medical evaluation. Lopez-Cornejo had been detained at Delaney Hall since June 18, following his arrest in Plainfield, New Jersey. ICE stated that he had been in custody for approximately six weeks before his death. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it a tragic reminder of the lack of oversight and accountability at Delaney Hall. He noted that the death adds to the growing list of fatalities linked to the facility. Similarly, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill voiced her distress over the situation, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lopez-Cornejo’s death. Both officials reiterated their calls for the facility to be closed down, citing ongoing concerns about the conditions within the detention center. The death of Lopez-Cornejo comes amid heightened scrutiny of Delaney Hall, which has been the subject of numerous allegations regarding inadequate living conditions and insufficient medical care for detainees. Two months prior to the incident, New Jersey filed a lawsuit against the private operator of Delaney Hall, The GEO Group, seeking immediate access for the state health department to inspect the facility. The lawsuit cited claims of unsanitary conditions and mistreatment of detainees. Despite these legal actions, the facility continues to operate under the management of The GEO Group, a for-profit prison contractor. According to ICE, Lopez-Cornejo had been provided with appropriate medical care during his detention. However, his family has raised concerns about the adequacy of the medical attention he received. Lopez-Cornejo’s mother, Maria Cornejo, revealed that her son had been managing chronic health issues such as diabetes, seizures, and hypertension. She indicated that he had not consistently received his prescribed medications while in custody. Additionally, she mentioned that he had reported symptoms including numbness on the right side of his face and hand, suggesting potential complications related to his pre-existing conditions. Lopez-Cornejo’s death is the second recorded fatality at Delaney Hall since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. Previously, Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national, died suddenly in December 2025 shortly after entering the facility. Medical authorities determined that his death resulted from a natural cause involving a blockage in his lungs. The cumulative number of deaths in ICE custody during Trump’s second term stands at at least 56 individuals, with Lopez-Cornejo marking the second native of El Salvador to perish in such circumstances, following the September death of Norlan Guzman-Fuentes, who was shot during a sniper attack on an ICE field office in Dallas. Detainees at Delaney Hall have frequently voiced concerns about the quality of life and medical care available within the facility. Advocacy groups such as Cosecha have documented instances of detainees launching hunger strikes to demand improvements in their living conditions and access to necessary medications. Protests against the operation of Delaney Hall have become increasingly common, with demonstrators attempting to obstruct traffic near the facility. These gatherings often include political figures and community leaders who advocate for the closure of the detention center due to alleged human rights violations and substandard treatment of detainees. ICE has maintained that the conditions at Delaney Hall meet the required standards and that the agency provides adequate medical care to all individuals in its custody. The agency has also emphasized that it notifies relevant oversight bodies, consular representatives, and the families of deceased detainees. Nevertheless, the persistent criticisms from local officials, activists, and affected families continue to challenge the narrative presented by ICE regarding the operational integrity of Delaney Hall. As investigations unfold, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind Lopez-Cornejo’s death and addressing the broader systemic issues that have led to repeated fatalities within the facility.
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