Man Dies in ICE Custody at Delaney Hall in Newark
What happens when someone dies inside an ICE detention facility — and who gets notified? Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old man from El Salvador, died on August 1, 2026, after suffering a medical emergency at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. His death is now under review, and the cause has not yet been confirmed.
What if the person you are worried about is already inside a detention facility — and you have no idea what is happening to them? That fear became reality for the family of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo. He was pronounced dead on August 1, 2026, at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, after a medical emergency while held at Delaney Hall Detention Facility. He was 41 years old. The official cause of death is still pending further medical examination.
How Lopez-Cornejo Ended Up in Detention
Lopez-Cornejo's immigration history stretched back two decades. U.S. Border Patrol arrested him in August 2006 for entering the country without authorization. A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered his removal on August 25, 2006, and he was deported to El Salvador on October 19, 2006. He re-entered the US at an unknown date after that. ICE arrested him again on June 18, 2026, in Plainfield, New Jersey. Because he had a prior removal order on record, authorities reinstated that order — meaning no new immigration court hearing was scheduled. He was held at Delaney Hall pending removal.
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What ICE Says About His Medical Care
According to ICE, facility staff and medical personnel responded immediately when Lopez-Cornejo experienced a medical emergency, and called 911. ICE stated he received proper medical care throughout his detention. Following his death, ICE 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. ICE policy requires these notifications any time someone dies in custody, and the agency publishes details on its public Detainee Death Reporting page.
What to Do If a Family Member Is Detained
- Contact the detention facility directly to ask about your relative's medical condition — detainees have the right to care from the moment they arrive.
- Reach out to the consulate of your relative's home country. Consulates can visit detainees and help families get information.
- If you believe your relative is not getting adequate medical attention, lawyers recommend filing a complaint with the ICE Office of Inspector General and seeking emergency legal help as soon as possible.
- If your relative has a prior removal order, contact an immigration lawyer immediately — options may be limited, but an attorney can review whether any relief applies, such as protection under the Convention Against Torture.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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When someone dies in ICE custody, the family has the right to request an independent autopsy — do not rely solely on the government's medical findings. If your relative is currently detained and has a serious medical condition, an attorney can file an emergency motion asking a judge to order adequate medical treatment or release on humanitarian grounds. Do not wait for a crisis to escalate before seeking legal help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a reinstatement of a prior removal order?
If someone was deported and then re-entered the US without permission, immigration authorities can 'reinstate' the original deportation order. This means no new immigration court hearing is required — the person can be removed based on the old order. There is very limited ability to fight this, which is why having a lawyer quickly is critical.
What rights does a person have while in ICE detention?
People in ICE custody have the right to medical care, including emergency care at any hour. ICE policy requires a medical screening within 12 hours of arrival and a full health assessment within 14 days. Detainees also have the right to contact a lawyer and, in most cases, to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
Who gets notified when someone dies in ICE custody?
ICE is required to notify the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE Office of Inspector General, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, the detainee's next of kin, and the consulate of the person's home country. ICE also posts a public notice on its website.
Can a family member get information about what happened to a detained relative?
Yes. Family members can contact the detention facility directly, reach out to the consulate of the person's home country, or work with an immigration attorney to request records. If the cause of death is disputed, lawyers can help families pursue an independent investigation.