A man detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has died while being held at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The detainee, Edwin Lopez Cornejo, passed away on Aug. 1, according to a public announcement made by his family on Monday, Aug. 3.
Lopez Cornejo, who had been a resident of New Jersey, was taken into custody by immigration enforcement officers on June 18. His mother, Maria Cornejo, blamed his death on the facility's failure to provide the insulin and diabetes medications he required. She stated that her son had lived in the United States for nearly two decades, was a hardworking individual, and held a valid work permit. She described him as an "excellent son" and expressed deep grief, saying, "I lost him to the hands of immigration authorities."
The death of Lopez Cornejo occurs during a period marked by a record number of fatalities within ICE facilities. Another individual previously held at the Delaney Hall facility died in December 2025. The center has faced significant criticism regarding its living conditions, leading to reports of hunger strikes, internal unrest, and public protests outside the site.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement refuting allegations of medical neglect. An agency spokesperson claimed, "While in custody, Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals." The agency maintained that it is committed to maintaining safe and humane environments, noting that detainees undergo a health screening within 12 hours of booking and a comprehensive evaluation within 14 days. However, the department did not address the family's assertion that Lopez Cornejo possessed a work permit. The GEO Group, which operates the Newark detention center, declined to provide a comment.
Maria Cornejo recounted that her son was on his way to work when he was initially arrested by ICE. She stated that she was notified of his death by the hospital where he was taken after he had already died. The two had last spoken on Thursday, July 30, at which time Lopez Cornejo expressed that he was feeling unwell and intended to seek medical attention. "That’s one of the reasons for his death, I think, because of neglect, that they didn’t give him the medications he had to take," she said, noting her sorrow that he would never again see his 12-year-old daughter.
Sebastiana Cornejo, the aunt of the deceased, criticized the authorities for the impact on the family, particularly the man's young child. "We ask them to stop these deportations, that they’re separating families, kids they’re leaving as orphans, without anyone’s protection," she said. The family emphasized that they were speaking out to seek justice for Lopez Cornejo and others who have suffered similar experiences.
Maria Cornejo expressed her fear that without accountability, such tragedies would continue. "I know this pain that’s gotten me, hasn’t only gotten me, but many people in this country have felt these pains, but unfortunately in this recent case it’s me because I lost my son," she said. "And if justice isn’t done, they’re going to continue doing this, and we don’t know how many more people we’ll lose in this country."
Several deaths have been attributed to poor medical treatment. ICE has denied any accusations of poor treatment, even as witnesses in numerous lawsuits and news reports contradict official accounts of detainee treatment.
Lopez Cornejo’s mother, in an emotional interview posted to Facebook, described her son as a hardworking father to her granddaughter.
