Man Dies in ICE Custody at Delaney Hall: What Detainees Can Do
You're getting a call that your family member collapsed inside an ICE detention center — and you don't know what happened or who to trust. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old man from El Salvador, died on August 1, 2026, after a medical emergency at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. His family says he wasn't getting the medication he needed. ICE says he received proper care. The cause of death is still unknown.
You or someone you love is detained at an ICE facility, and you're not sure what medical care they're actually getting — or what happens if something goes wrong. The death of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, on August 1, 2026, puts that fear into sharp focus.
Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old Salvadoran national, was detained at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark after ICE arrested him on June 18, 2026, in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was being held under a reinstatement of a prior removal order — a process used when someone who was previously deported re-enters the US. ICE says GEO facility staff and medical staff responded immediately when he had a medical emergency and called 911. He was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The official cause of death is still pending further medical examination.
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Family Disputes ICE's Account
ICE stated that Lopez-Cornejo "received proper medical care" while in custody and was seen by medical professionals. But his family told ABC7 that he had not been receiving proper medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, and seizures. Reuters reported the family is alleging medical negligence and is seeking an independent investigation. ICE has notified the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, the Consulate of El Salvador in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Lopez-Cornejo's next of kin — all standard steps under ICE's detainee death notification policy.
Under ICE policy, all people in custody must receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arriving at a facility, and a full health assessment within 14 days. ICE says emergency care is available 24 hours a day and is never denied. Whether those standards were met in this case is part of what the family is demanding answers about.
What to Do If a Loved One Is in ICE Detention
- Contact the detention facility directly and ask about the medical care your family member is receiving. You have the right to know which facility they are in — use the ICE detainee locator at ice.gov/detainee-locator.
- If you believe a detained person is not getting needed medical care, contact a nonprofit immigration legal organization or an immigration lawyer immediately. They can file complaints with the ICE Office of Inspector General or the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.
- If a death occurs in ICE custody, the family has the right to request an independent autopsy. Do not wait — consult an attorney before agreeing to any official findings.
- Document everything: dates, names of staff, medical complaints made, and any responses received. This record matters if you pursue a complaint or legal action.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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When a detained person has a known chronic condition, family members and attorneys should immediately send written requests to the facility documenting those medical needs — this creates a paper trail that matters in any future complaint or lawsuit. Under ICE's own detention standards, detainees are entitled to timely treatment for serious medical conditions, and failure to provide it can be the basis for a civil rights complaint to the DHS Office of Inspector General. If a death occurs, the family should consult an attorney before signing any documents or accepting the facility's account of events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rights does someone in ICE detention have to medical care?
Under ICE detention standards, everyone in custody must receive a medical screening within 12 hours of arrival, a full health assessment within 14 days, and access to 24-hour emergency care. Chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure must be treated. If you believe these standards are not being met, you can file a complaint with the ICE Office of Inspector General.
What is a reinstatement of removal, and can it be challenged?
A reinstatement of removal means ICE reactivates an old deportation order against someone who re-entered the US after being deported. It is very difficult to challenge, but there are limited exceptions — for example, if the person fears persecution in their home country, they may be able to request a 'reasonable fear' screening. An immigration lawyer can assess whether any relief is available.
What can a family do if they believe a loved one died due to medical neglect in ICE custody?
The family can request an independent autopsy, file a complaint with the ICE Office of Inspector General, and consult a civil rights attorney about a potential lawsuit. Reuters reported that Lopez-Cornejo's family is already seeking an independent investigation. Acting quickly matters — evidence and records are easier to obtain soon after the death.
How does ICE notify families when someone dies in detention?
ICE is required to notify the detainee's next of kin, the relevant consulate, the DHS Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. ICE also posts a public news release on its website. In this case, the Consulate of El Salvador in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Lopez-Cornejo's family were both notified.