Third death linked to Delaney Hall raises questions about ICE reporting
Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan man who had been living in Passaic, died sometime after suffering a seizure at Delaney Hall on July 19, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
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Another person connected to Delaney Hall has died.
This is the third death connected to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark since detainees started being held there.
Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan man who had been living in Passaic, died sometime after suffering a seizure at Delaney Hall on July 19, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The death is bringing about questions as to why the public has only found out now about the death. ICE hadn't revealed the death, stating they released the man from their custody on July 22.
Democratic Rep. Rob Menendez says this is a problem, suggesting ICE is releasing people to avoid scrutiny of medical care at the detention facility and any responsibility for their outcomes.
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“By releasing them two things do not happen. They do not have to investigate that death and they do not have to report that death to Congress and the public," said Menendez.
ICE has seemingly reversed a policy which stated inmates had to be tracked for 30 days.
When asked if there may be other deaths not yet reported, Menendez stated, "it's possible."
"You know people are being transported to the two local hospitals Trinitas and University Hospital on a regular basis," said Menendez.
A spokesperson for ICE wrote in a statement, “Per ICE policy, when an individual is no longer in ICE custody, then ICE will no longer be responsible for monitoring or reviewing deaths that may occur. This is common sense. ICE is not responsible when an individual passes away weeks after leaving their custody.”
