Salvadoran man, 41, dies in ICE custody at New Jersey facility
Why it matters: The death renewed pressure from New Jersey officials to close Delaney Hall as the cause remains under investigation.
A 41-year-old Salvadoran man died after a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo was taken to University Hospital and was pronounced dead Saturday. ICE said the cause of death is pending.
ICE said Lopez-Cornejo was arrested June 18 in Plainfield, New Jersey, and was being held pending removal under a reinstated prior removal order. The agency said he first entered the United States without inspection in August 2006, was ordered removed that month and was deported to El Salvador in October 2006 before later reentering.
The death drew calls for answers from Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Rep. Rob Menendez and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who again urged Delaney Hall to close.