ACLU Challenges ICE Visitation Rules After Delaney Hall Death
The ACLU of New Jersey sent a letter to ICE regarding constitutional concerns over visitation policies at Delany Hall following the death of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo.
Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo, a 39-year-old man from El Salvador who had lived in the United States for about 20 years, died on Saturday after suffering a medical emergency at Delaney Hall. The federal immigration center is located in Newark and is owned and operated by The GEO Group under a private contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ICE officials confirmed that Lopez Cornejo was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Newark following the incident. Agency representatives stated on Monday night that he received proper medical care while in custody and was seen by qualified medical professionals during his time at the facility.
Family Demands Answers From Officials
Six relatives of Lopez Cornejo, including his mother Maria, daughter, and brother, gathered for a news conference Tuesday to express their deep frustration with how ICE oversaw his treatment. His family is now demanding that Governor Mikie Sherrill fight for answers regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
Maria wept as she told the crowd outside the Reformed Church of Highland Park that her son was not given proper medical care before he passed away. She described him as a great father, a hard working person who did not harm anyone and stated it is unfair that he died due to alleged medical negligence.
Lopez Cornejo's 12-year-old daughter tearfully spoke about the horrible treatment her father endured while in custody at the detention center. The young girl accused officials of trying to cover up the fact that they killed him, a claim her mother echoed by calling ICE statements lies.
Kathy O'Leary, a lead organizer with Eyes On ICE, stated that Lopez Cornejo had gone without necessary medication since his arrest on June 18. She argued that every single person who enters the facility gets denied their medication for a period of time before receiving treatment.
New Reporting Rules Under Scrutiny
Questions are growing after reports suggest an ICE reporting rule change may have kept details about detainee deaths hidden from the public and Congress. U.S. Rep. Bob Menendez, representing the 8th District in New Jersey, says another death connected to Delaney Hall went unreported because of this policy shift.
Menendez alleged that a different detainee suffered a seizure while being processed at the facility before ICE granted him discretionary release after transport to a hospital. The congressman claims the man later lost consciousness and died but was not publicly reported as an in-custody death because he had been released from ICE custody prior to his passing.
Menendez posted a video on X stating that this practice is being done to keep the number of deaths reported by the agency as low as possible. He noted that a recent policy change no longer requires ICE to review or report deaths after detainees are released, even if they occur shortly after leaving federal custody.
ICE has not publicly confirmed the second death mentioned by Menendez, though the congressman insists it happened at University Hospital in Newark. This situation follows months of protests this spring regarding allegations of poor conditions and mistreatment of detainees inside the privately run facility.
ACLU Raises Constitutional Concerns
The ACLU of New Jersey sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement today that raises serious constitutional concerns about visitation policies at Delaney Hall. The organization argues that visitation with loved ones is essential, especially in light of recent events involving detainee deaths.
This legal challenge comes as the facility continues to operate under its 15-year contract worth $1 billion between ICE and The GEO Group. Physicians for Human Rights noted that Lopez Cornejo's death marks the 53rd known death in ICE custody since the start of the Trump administration.
The letter from the ACLU highlights ongoing tensions regarding how detainees are treated while awaiting immigration proceedings at New Jersey's largest detention center. Advocates and family members alike point to these systemic issues as a primary cause for the tragedy that unfolded this past weekend.
What Happens Next For Families
Family members of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo have made it clear they will not accept the official narrative provided by federal immigration authorities without further investigation. They are calling on local and state leaders to intervene in a situation where they feel their loved one was failed by medical negligence.
The debate over reporting rules has intensified as lawmakers question whether current policies allow for full transparency regarding deaths that occur near or after release from custody. Residents of the district now face uncertainty about how many such incidents may have occurred without public knowledge due to these administrative changes.
Questions residents are asking
Who is operating the Delaney Hall detention center?
The facility in Newark is owned and operated by The GEO Group, a private for-profit prison company. They hold a 15-year contract worth $1 billion with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run the site.
What did ICE say about Edwin Lopez-Cornejo's medical care?
ICE stated on Monday night that he received proper medical care while in custody and was seen by medical professionals. The agency confirmed his death occurred at University Hospital after a described medical emergency.
Why does Rep. Menendez say another death went unreported?
Menendez claims the second detainee died after being released to a hospital, which means he was no longer in ICE custody under current rules. He argues this policy change allows deaths to go unreported to keep official numbers low.