DHS cites recent policy shift after not disclosing death of Guatemalan man who had been in custody
Summary
U.S. immigration officials said they did not tell the public about the death of a Guatemalan man after he was sent to a hospital from a New Jersey detention center because they were not informed he had died. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) changed its policy earlier this year to no longer report deaths that happen within 30 days after a person leaves immigration custody.Key Facts
- Jose Chajon-Raxon had a seizure at Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
- He was taken to the hospital and released from ICE custody on July 22.
- DHS said ICE is not responsible for monitoring deaths of people once they leave ICE custody, based on current policy.
- This policy change removes the requirement to report deaths within 30 days after a person is released from custody.
- The new policy reverses a 2021 rule put in place during the Biden administration.
- U.S. Representative Rob Menendez criticized the change, saying it creates a gap where deaths after release are not investigated or reported.
- Delaney Hall is a privately run immigration jail owned by Geo Group, which has faced protests and a hunger strike over detention conditions.
- The death was first publicly revealed by Rep. Menendez following a second detainee’s death in early August.
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