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“Lo dejaron morir”: Familia acusa negligencia médica mortal en cárcel de ICE
Salvadoran Man Dies in New Jersey Immigration Jail: Family Demands Answers
What Happened?
A 39-year-old Salvadoran man named Edwin López Cornejo died on Saturday at Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey. He had been held there since June 18 after being arrested for entering the U.S. without permission.
His family says he did not get the medical care he needed for serious health problems. Immigration officials (ICE) say he did receive proper care. Now, his family, politicians, and human rights groups are demanding an independent investigation.
Who Was Edwin López Cornejo?
- A father to a 12-year-old daughter, Ashley
- A son to María Cornejo
- A brother to Danilo López
- Described by his mother as: "A good father. A good son. A hardworking man. He didn’t hurt anyone."
- He suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure, and seizures — conditions that require regular medication
The Family’s Story: A Timeline of Worry
| Date | What Happened |
|---|---|
| June 18 | Edwin is arrested and sent to Delaney Hall |
| During detention | He tells family he cannot get his medications regularly |
| Friday (day before death) | He calls his mom: "I spoke to a doctor this morning. I lost feeling in half my face and arm." |
| Saturday | ICE says he had a "medical emergency" and was hospitalized. He died the same day. |
| Tuesday | Family holds a press conference, demanding answers |
His daughter Ashley said: "We were all worried about him."
What ICE Says vs. What the Family Says
| ICE (Immigration Officials) | Family & Lawyers |
|---|---|
| He "received appropriate medical care" | He was denied regular access to life-saving medications |
| He was seen by healthcare professionals | He showed stroke-like symptoms (numbness on one side) days before death |
| Cause of death pending further exam | Death was preventable with proper care |
Bigger Pattern: This Isn’t the First Death at Delaney Hall
IMPORTANT: A Pattern of Deaths and Neglect
Delaney Hall has a troubling history:
- December 2024: Jean Wilson Brutus, 41, from Haiti, died after collapsing. Cause: blood clot in the lungs.
- July 2025: Another detainee had a seizure during processing, was hospitalized, lost consciousness, and died days after being released. ICE did not publicly report this death.
- July 2025 (Georgia): Priciliano Trejo, 29, died 9 days after ICE released him from custody while he was in a coma. ICE has not acknowledged this death either.
At least 56 people have died in ICE custody during President Trump’s second term.
Hundreds of detainees have sued, saying immigration jails don’t provide basic medical care.
What Is Delaney Hall?
- A 1,000-bed immigration jail in Newark, NJ
- Owned and run by Geo Group — a private prison company that profits from detaining people
- Site of major protests by immigrant rights groups
- Detainees held a hunger strike earlier this year over poor conditions
- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (Democrat) says her team’s attempts to inspect the facility "keep facing obstructions"
Governor Sherrill: "Every attempt to block oversight raises serious questions about what is happening inside Delaney Hall — and what those running it are trying to hide."
Political Response: "Close It Down"
| Leader | Position | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) | U.S. Senator | "I’ve visited Delaney Hall and seen conditions firsthand. It must be shut down — immediately and permanently." |
| Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ) | U.S. Representative | Revealed the unreported July death; says ICE stopped reporting deaths within 30 days of release due to a new policy. |
| Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) | NJ Governor | Says state inspections are blocked — suspects a cover-up. |
What the Family Demands
- Independent state investigation into the "health crisis" at Delaney Hall
- Immediate release of all medically vulnerable detainees
- Accountability for those responsible for denying care
- Permanent closure of the facility
Key Terms Explained Simply (ELI5)
| Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — the agency that arrests and detains immigrants |
| Detention center / Hall | A jail for people waiting for immigration court or deportation |
| Private prison contractor | A for-profit company (like Geo Group) paid by the government to run jails |
| Medical emergency | A sudden, serious health problem needing immediate care (like a stroke or heart attack) |
| Oversight | Official checks to make sure a place follows laws and treats people humanely |
| Discretionary release | Letting someone go for humanitarian reasons (e.g., they’re dying) — not because their case is over |
Summary
- Edwin López Cornejo, a 39-year-old Salvadoran father with serious medical conditions, died in ICE custody at Delaney Hall in Newark.
- His family says he begged for medication and showed stroke symptoms days before his death — but was ignored.
- ICE claims he got proper care, but refuses to share details and has stopped reporting some deaths.
- At least 3 people have died at Delaney Hall recently — and 56+ nationwide under Trump’s second term.
- Top NJ Democrats (Senator, Congressman, Governor) say the jail is dangerous, secretive, and must close.
- The family wants an independent investigation and release of sick detainees.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What is Delaney Hall, and who runs it?
Delaney Hall is an immigration detention center (jail) in Newark, NJ, that holds up to 1,000 people. It is owned and operated by Geo Group, a private, for-profit prison company — not the government directly.
Why was Edwin López Cornejo detained?
He was arrested on June 18 for entering the U.S. without legal permission. He was waiting for immigration proceedings when he died.
Did he have a criminal record?
The article does not mention any criminal charges — only that he was accused of illegal entry, which is a civil immigration violation, not necessarily a crime.
Why hasn’t ICE released the cause of death?
ICE says the official cause will come after a medical examiner’s review. However, they have not publicly acknowledged other recent deaths (like in July), citing a new policy that stops reporting deaths within 30 days of release.
What can regular people do?
- Contact your representatives (Senators, Congressmembers) and demand oversight of ICE detention centers
- Support organizations like Cosecha, ACLU, or local immigrant rights groups fighting for detainee healthcare
- Share this story to raise awareness — public pressure leads to investigations and change
Final Thought: People in government custody — no matter their immigration status — have a basic human right to medical care. When that right is denied, and people die, it’s not just a "mistake." It’s a failure of accountability. Edwin López Cornejo’s family deserves the truth. So do the families of every person who has died in these jails.
