Third Death at New Jersey ICE Detention Center
Guatemalan immigrant Jose Chajon-Raxon dies after medical emergency at Delaney Hall, sparking criticism over DHS policy shift
A Guatemalan immigrant, Jose Chajon-Raxon, has died after being detained at Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in New Jersey, marking the third death at the facility. Chajon-Raxon experienced a medical emergency and was hospitalized, where he later died.
Chajon-Raxon was arrested by ICE agents and brought to Delaney Hall on July 18. He was released from ICE custody on July 22, four days after his arrest. A nurse witnessed Chajon-Raxon experiencing seizure-like activity during the medical emergency.
The death of Chajon-Raxon has sparked criticism over a policy shift announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier this year. The agency stopped reporting deaths occurring within 30 days after a person is released from custody. US representative Rob Menendez criticized the policy shift, saying it creates a loophole allowing the agency to release someone from custody and claim no responsibility to investigate their death.
Delaney Hall has faced scrutiny from human rights advocates and Democrats over two other deaths involving immigrants detained there. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a man from El Salvador, died earlier this month after experiencing a medical emergency while in ICE detention at Delaney Hall.
## Why it matters The death of Chajon-Raxon highlights the concerns surrounding the treatment and care of immigrants in ICE detention centers. The policy shift by DHS has raised questions about the agency's accountability and transparency in reporting deaths that occur after an individual is released from custody. The incident has also sparked criticism from human rights advocates and lawmakers, who are calling for greater oversight and investigation into the deaths that have occurred at Delaney Hall.
## What happens next The incident is likely to lead to further scrutiny of Delaney Hall and the treatment of immigrants in ICE detention centers. Lawmakers and human rights advocates are likely to push for greater transparency and accountability from DHS, and for a reversal of the policy shift that has sparked criticism. The death of Chajon-Raxon has also raised questions about the medical care and emergency response procedures in place at Delaney Hall, which are likely to be investigated further.
