# US ICE detention medical neglect > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-ice-detention-medical-neglect > Updated: 2026-08-13T01:58:54.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 3. In August 2026, Edwin Lopez‑Cornejo, a Salvadoran man detained at the privately‑run Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, died after a medical emergency. His family alleges he was denied essential medication for diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy, stating, “ICE should be responsible, because when he was detained, he was treated horribly.” ICE officials maintain he received appropriate care. This incident has been linked to the 2022 death of Nenko Gantchev, a detainee who died of a heart attack at another GEO Group‑operated ICE prison in Michigan. Both cases have revived scrutiny from advocacy groups like the Medical Justice Alliance regarding the constitutional right to medical care in private facilities. Concerns intensified following the death of Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan immigrant who experienced seizure-like activity while held at Delaney Hall in July 2026. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated Chajon-Raxon was released from custody after being hospitalized, he subsequently passed away. DHS noted it was not notified of his death and stated that under current policy, ICE is not responsible for monitoring deaths occurring after an individual is no longer in its custody. This lack of oversight follows a policy reversal where ICE rescinded a 2021 Biden-era rule that required the agency to notify Congress and investigate deaths occurring within 30 days of a detainee's release. U.S. Representative Rob Menendez criticized this change, arguing it creates a loophole to avoid public scrutiny. These fatalities have prompted calls from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and members of Congress for health inspections and the permanent closure of the facility. ## Claims - Jose Chajon-Raxon experienced a seizure-like event on July 19 at the Delaney Hall detention facility. (disputed by 10 sources) - Chajon-Raxon was released from ICE custody on July 22. (disputed by 10 sources) - ICE was not notified of Chajon-Raxon's death. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Representative Rob Menendez reported receiving conflicting information regarding the death. (corroborated by 9 sources) - More than 50 people have died in ICE custody nationwide since January of last year. (corroborated by 7 sources) - ICE rescinded a 2021 Biden administration policy that required notifying Congress of detainee deaths occurring within 30 days of release. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Delaney Hall ICE facility death sparks accountability concerns A Guatemalan immigrant died after being released from an ICE detention facility in New Jersey, sparking criticism over a policy change that limits agency accountability for deaths occurring after release. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemalan-immigrant-dies-after-medical-emergency-at-new-jersey-ice-facility ### 2026-08-06: ICE detainee deaths highlight medical care failures at GEO Group facilities Two ICE detainee deaths—Edwin Lopez‑Cornejo in New Jersey and Nenko Gantchev in Michigan—raise concerns over inadequate medical care at GEO Group‑run facilities. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-detainee-deaths-highlight-medical-care-failures-at-geo-group-facilities ### 2026-08-04: Delaney Hall ICE detention death of Salvadoran migrant prompts closure calls Salvadoran detainee Edwin Lopez‑Cornejo died at New Jersey's Delaney Hall ICE center; family alleges medical neglect, ICE says care was proper. Gov. Sherrill, Mayor Baraka and Rep. Menendez call for closure and 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/immigrant-detainee-death-at-new-jersey-ice-facility-delaney-hall --- Cite as: US ICE detention medical neglect. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-ice-detention-medical-neglect