Tragic Death at Delaney Hall: Calls for Reform in Immigration Detention System
A detainee at Delaney Hall, an ICE detention facility in Newark, has passed away, as confirmed by elected officials. U.S. Senator Andy Kim's office received notification from the ICE Newark Field Office regarding the detainee's death. U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez conducted an unannounced oversight visit to Delaney Hall to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. The deceased individual was identified as Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo by his mother, María Cornejo, in an emotional interview with New Labor.
María Cornejo expressed deep sorrow over the loss of her son, describing him as a hard-working man and a devoted father. Lopez Cornejo was detained by federal immigration agents on his way to work on June 18th. His mother recounted his account of being mistreated during the arrest, with tight handcuffs causing bruising on his hands. The exact immigration status of Lopez Cornejo remains unclear at this time.
The ACLU of New Jersey released a statement mourning the death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo and attributing it to inadequate medical care while in detention. The statement called for accountability from ICE, the closure of Delaney Hall, and an end to immigration detention. Local activists planned a press conference and vigil at Delaney Hall to address the tragic incident.
This recent death follows the passing of Jean Wilson Brutus in December while in ICE custody at Delaney Hall. The circumstances of Brutus' death remain unknown. Protests have been ongoing outside the facility in response to criticism from Democratic officials. The tragic loss of life underscores the urgent need for reform in the immigration detention system to prevent further harm and ensure humane treatment of detainees.