How many people have died at Delaney Hall recently?

At least three deaths are linked to the facility since late last year, including two reported in July and one in December. One man died while still in custody on August 1, another passed away after release on July 22, and a third occurred in December.

Is ICE responsible for deaths that happen after someone is released?

An ICE spokesperson stated the agency stops monitoring or reviewing deaths once an individual is no longer in custody. They described this as common sense policy, noting they are not responsible if a person passes away weeks after leaving.

What investigation is happening regarding Delaney Hall?

New Jersey has opened a civil rights investigation into conditions at the privately run facility. U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez also noted differing accounts of deaths and criticized changes to disclosure policies that limit reporting to Congress.

Second Delaney Hall death reported as NJ probe intensifies

Name: Second Delaney Hall death reported as NJ probe intensifies
Uploaded: 2026-08-22T01:07:52.435Z
Description: ICE acknowledged a second detainee death linked to the Newark facility this month while state officials investigate conditions.

ICE acknowledged a second detainee death linked to the Newark facility this month while state officials investigate conditions.

By The Eleventh staff · August 22, 2026 · AI-assisted, grounded in the cited sources below

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the death of Jose Chajon-Raxon, marking the second fatality connected to Delaney Hall in July. This development occurs as calls grow for the shutdown of the privately run immigration detention center located in Newark. Questions are mounting regarding accountability for detainees who die after being released from custody.

Timeline of recent deaths

Chajon-Raxon, an immigrant from Guatemala, was processed into ICE custody on July 18 according to agency records. He received treatment the following day for seizure-like activity before a nurse reassured him he was safe. He was subsequently taken to a hospital where he received what ICE described as proper medical care.

Chajon-Raxon died on July 22, though ICE stated it was not immediately informed of his passing. The agency noted that the individual had already been released from custody before this event occurred. This incident follows another death reported in July involving a detainee who passed away while still at the facility.

On August 1, Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo died at Delaney Hall after suffering what officials described as a medical emergency. U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez stated earlier that there had been a third death but did not disclose the identity of that person. At least three deaths have now occurred since late last year.

Policy on post-release monitoring

An ICE spokesperson explained their policy regarding individuals who are no longer in agency custody. The statement said ICE is responsible for monitoring or reviewing deaths only while a person remains detained. This approach was described by the spokesperson as common sense given that responsibility ends upon release.

The spokesperson emphasized that ICE does not monitor deaths occurring weeks after an individual leaves their facility. Critics argue this policy gap creates uncertainty about what happens to detainees immediately following their discharge from medical care or custody. The lack of immediate notification regarding Chajon-Raxon's death highlights these procedural boundaries.

State and federal investigations

New Jersey has opened a civil rights investigation into the conditions at Delaney Hall in response to these fatalities. U.S. Rep. Menendez noted he is receiving differing accounts about how deaths are handled within the system. He cited reports that the Trump administration ended Biden-era disclosure requirements.

Menendez claimed this policy change allows ICE to conduct no investigations and submit no reports to Congress regarding detainee deaths. The representative suggested these actions limit transparency for lawmakers trying to understand what happened inside the facility. Local officials are now looking closer at how medical emergencies were managed before release.

Background on previous incidents

A prior death involved Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national who died in December. He passed away just 24 hours after being taken into custody and rushed to University Hospital in Newark. Authorities suspect his death was linked to medical issues that arose shortly after intake.

The sequence of events at Delaney Hall has drawn attention from residents across the district where the facility operates. Images released earlier this year showed silhouettes of detainees inside the center on June 12, 2026. These visual records have been used to illustrate conditions while officials debate necessary reforms.

What happens next for families

Families of deceased detainees are left with limited information as agencies cite policy restrictions on sharing details after release. The civil rights investigation aims to determine if standards were met during the time individuals were under state or federal supervision. Community members continue to demand answers about why multiple deaths have occurred in such a short timeframe.