Third Immigrant Dies After ICE Detention at Delaney Hall
José Chajón-Raxón, a Guatemalan man detained by ICE at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, suffered a seizure-like episode and later died after being hospitalized. He is the third person to die connected to that facility since it reopened in May 2025. ICE says it bears no responsibility — and a recent policy change means his death may never be officially investigated.
ICE arrested Chajón-Raxón and brought him to Delaney Hall on July 18. Four days later, on July 22, the agency released him from custody. A nurse at the facility had already responded to a medical emergency, observing what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as "seizure-like activity." He was transported to a hospital. What happened after that — whether he left the hospital, when exactly he died — the DHS did not say.
The agency's position is blunt: once someone leaves ICE custody, ICE is no longer responsible for monitoring or reviewing that person's death. That stance is now backed by a formal policy shift. Earlier this year, ICE stopped reporting deaths that occur within 30 days of a person's release from custody. That reversed a rule the Biden administration put in place in 2021. US Representative Rob Menendez (D-NJ), who has visited Delaney Hall repeatedly, told the Associated Press the change creates a "loophole" — ICE can release someone, and then claim no duty to investigate if that person dies.
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A Pattern of Deaths and Protests at Delaney Hall
Chajón-Raxón's death only became public after Menendez disclosed it last week, following news of yet another death at the facility. Edwin López-Cornejo, from El Salvador, died earlier this month after a medical emergency while in ICE custody at Delaney Hall. Jean Wilson Brutus, a Haitian man also detained there, died in December. Across the country, more than 50 people have died in ICE custody since January 2025, according to rights groups that have repeatedly raised concerns about medical care inside detention centers.
Delaney Hall has drawn growing scrutiny beyond the deaths. Allegations of physical abuse by guards and spoiled food led to protests in recent months. In late May, at least 300 detainees organized a hunger and labor strike. Weeks later, women in a separate unit launched their own hunger strike, demanding facility improvements and the release of women under 21, women with medical conditions, and mothers. ICE maintains that detainees receive appropriate medical care.
What to Do
- If a family member is in ICE detention and has a medical condition, contact an immigration lawyer immediately. Attorneys can file emergency motions requesting medical attention or release on humanitarian grounds.
- Ask the detention facility for the name of the medical contractor on site and request written records of any medical treatment — detainees have the right to request their own records.
- Contact your US Representative or Senator's office. Congressional offices can make direct inquiries to ICE about a detainee's status and medical situation.
- Organizations like the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and local immigrant rights groups track conditions at specific facilities and may be able to assist or document your case.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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Under the current ICE policy, the agency stops tracking a detainee's health outcomes the moment that person is released from custody — even if they are released directly to a hospital. If your family member is detained and has a serious medical condition, an attorney can file an emergency habeas corpus petition in federal court to compel adequate medical care or secure release. Document everything: dates, names of staff, any medical requests made or denied. Consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible — delays in these situations can be life-threatening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ICE have to report if someone dies after being released from detention?
Not anymore. Earlier this year, ICE stopped reporting deaths that happen within 30 days of a person's release from custody. This reversed a Biden-era policy from 2021. Critics say this creates a gap in accountability.
What rights does a detained immigrant have to medical care?
Detained immigrants have a legal right to medical care while in ICE custody. If a detainee is denied care or their condition is ignored, an attorney can file an emergency motion in federal court. ICE's own detention standards require medical screening and access to treatment.
Can a family member get someone released from ICE detention for medical reasons?
Yes, in some cases. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge or file an emergency petition in federal court arguing that continued detention is dangerous to the person's health. Success depends on the individual's immigration history and the severity of the medical condition.
How do I find out if someone is being held at Delaney Hall or another ICE facility?
You can search ICE's online detainee locator at ice.gov using the person's name and country of birth. If you cannot find them or need urgent help, contact an immigration attorney or a local immigrant rights organization.