A 41-year-old Salvadoran national, Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, died in federal custody after being arrested in New Jersey. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials reported that he died on August 1 at University Hospital in Newark following a medical emergency while detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. Staff from the GEO Group, which manages the facility, and medical personnel responded to the emergency and called 911. The official cause of death is pending a formal medical examination.
Lopez-Cornejo had previously been deported to El Salvador in 2006 after being apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol for entering the U.S. without inspection. He re-entered the U.S. illegally before being arrested by ICE officers in Plainfield, New Jersey, on June 18. He was being held at Delaney Hall pending the reinstatement of his prior removal order. ICE officials stated that he received proper medical care during his detention.
Lopez-Cornejo's death has prompted condemnation from New Jersey officials, including Governor Mikie Sherrill, who expressed concern over the incident and called for answers regarding the circumstances of his death. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka also condemned the incident, highlighting ongoing issues at the facility regarding oversight and accountability. The facility has faced criticism for obstructing health and safety inspections and has been the site of protests over conditions such as food quality and overcrowding.