ACLU Challenges ICE Visitation Rules After Plainfield Man Dies at Delaney Hall
The ACLU of New Jersey sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding constitutional concerns after Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo died in custody, prompting his family to demand answers.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has formally challenged federal immigration authorities over conditions at the Delaney Hall detention facility. The organization sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raising serious constitutional concerns about visitation policies for detainees held there. This action follows the death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo, a 39-year-old man from El Salvador who died while in custody.
Family Demands Answers After Death
Cornejo was pronounced dead at University Hospital after suffering a medical emergency on Saturday inside the Newark facility. His family gathered for a press conference Tuesday to express deep frustration with how ICE oversaw his final days and medical treatment. Six relatives, including Cornejo's mother Maria, his daughter, and his brother, spoke publicly about their devastation.
Maria Cornejo told reporters that her son was not given proper medical care while detained at the center operated by The GEO Group. She stated outside the Reformed Church of Highland Park that it is unfair for him to die because of alleged medical negligence. Her 12-year-old daughter tearfully described the treatment her father endured as horrible and accused officials of trying to cover up his death.
Conflicting Accounts on Medical Care
The family claims Cornejo went without necessary medication since his arrest on June 18, specifically for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Kathy O'Leary, a lead organizer at Eyes On ICE, stated that every person entering the facility gets denied their medication for a period of time. However, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement Monday night asserting he received proper medical care while in custody.
Maria Cornejo called the federal government's statement lies and insisted her son needed attention that was refused to him. She described Edwin as a great father, a hard-working person who did not harm anyone before his death last Saturday. The family is now demanding that Governor Mikie Sherrill fight for answers regarding how he died in custody.
A History of Deaths at Delaney Hall
This incident marks the second known death at the privately-run facility since December, when Jean Wilson Brutus also passed away while in ICE custody. Physicians for Human Rights noted that Cornejo's death is the 53rd known death in ICE custody since the start of the Trump administration. The federal immigration center has been the site of numerous protests this spring amid allegations of poor conditions and mistreatment.
Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national, died at University Hospital one day after being taken into custody last December. Authorities stated that his death was suspected to be from natural causes following an emergency response by first responders. The facility is owned and operated by The GEO Group under a 15-year contract with ICE valued at $1 billion.
Local Impact on Plainfield Residents
Cornejo lived in Plainfield, making his death a significant event for residents of the district who are seeking accountability from federal agencies. U.S. Senator Andy Kim stated that Cornejo died from a heart attack after experiencing numbness in his face and hand just before he passed away. His mother told New Jersey Monitor she has not heard directly from GEO Group or ICE about her son's death since University Hospital notified the family.
What Happens Next for Families
The ACLU letter emphasizes that visitation with loved ones is essential to maintaining dignity and safety within detention centers like Delaney Hall. An official cause of death has not yet been determined pending further medical examination by authorities in charge of the case. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help Edwin Cornejo's family cope with their loss during this difficult time.
The mother expressed that she is destroyed and heartbroken, noting she never imagined such a tragedy would happen to her son. She recalled speaking to him on Friday when he mentioned physical symptoms that may have preceded his fatal medical emergency. The community now waits for further details as the legal process moves forward regarding the circumstances of his death.
Questions residents are asking
What is Delaney Hall and who runs it?
Delaney Hall is an immigration detention facility located in Newark that is owned and operated by The GEO Group, a private for-profit prison company. It operates under a 15-year contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement valued at $1 billion.
Why did Edwin Cornejo's family blame ICE?
The family claims he was denied necessary medication for high blood pressure and diabetes since his arrest on June 18. His mother stated that officials refused to give him medical attention despite his need, leading to his death from a medical emergency.
Has anyone else died at this facility recently?
Yes, Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national, died in December after being taken into custody and transported to University Hospital. This makes Cornejo the second detainee to die at Delaney Hall since last year.