Immigrant dies in New Jersey ICE facility, as US deports Venezuelans for first time since earthquakes

An immigrant detained at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey, died on August 1, 2026, following a medical emergency. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old Salvadoran national, was pronounced deceased at University Hospital in Newark. He had been apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Plainfield, New Jersey, on June 18, 2026, and was awaiting deportation, having been previously removed from the U.S. in 2006.

Lopez-Cornejo's death marks the 22nd fatality in ICE custody this year, according to agency data, though some reports indicate it could be the 23rd. His mother expressed profound grief, stating her son had chronic health conditions and that she was unable to visit him.

The Delaney Hall facility has faced increased scrutiny and protests in recent months due to allegations of inadequate conditions and concerns over detainee welfare, including prior hunger strikes. Officials have stated that Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care and that emergency services were called when he experienced the medical event. His official cause of death is pending further medical examination.