Brother of deceased Chinese immigrant in Pennsylvania ICE detention facility files lawsuit for information regarding his death.

The brother of a Chinese immigrant who died under distressing circumstances at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (MVPC) in Pennsylvania has initiated legal action against U.S. immigration authorities in hopes of uncovering details surrounding the death. Chaofeng Ge, aged 32, was discovered unresponsive in a shower stall at the facility on August 5, 2023, prompting significant concern regarding the treatment of detainees at this privately operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.

Yangeng Ge, Chaofeng’s brother, filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, expressing frustration over the lack of communication and accountability from the GEO Group, which manages MVPC. The complaint emphasizes that no representatives from the facility have reached out to offer condolences or provide clarity on the circumstances leading to Chaofeng’s death. This legal action follows Yangeng’s earlier attempt to obtain information through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which he alleges was disregarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE.

The lawsuit seeks an order from a federal judge to compel the agencies to comply with the FOIA request, which regards all records related to Chaofeng Ge’s treatment at MVPC and the events leading to his death. According to ICE records, the immigrant was placed in custody on July 31, shortly after he pleaded guilty to state charges involving credit card fraud.

The circumstances leading up to Ge’s tragic death raise serious questions about his treatment in detention. The lawsuit claims that Ge was isolated due to language barriers, as there were no staff members available to communicate with him in Mandarin. This lack of support allegedly extended to mental health resources, which he reportedly required.

Chaofeng Ge was found at approximately 5:21 a.m. in the shower area, with an ICE death report indicating he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Details surrounding the conditions of his death, including a claim that he was found hanging with his limbs restrained, remain unclear, as neither the lawsuit nor the ICE report specifies a determination regarding the manner of death. The office of the Clearfield County Coroner has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this incident.

Since President Donald Trump’s administration began, there have been 15 reported deaths in ICE detention facilities, drawing attention to the treatment and living conditions of those detained. The Moshannon Valley Processing Center, which accommodates nearly 1,900 individuals, has faced scrutiny over its management and oversight practices, with activists and lawmakers calling for increased transparency and accountability regarding detainee rights and safety.

Concerns regarding the treatment of detainees at MVPC date back several years, yet the scrutiny surrounding it has intensified as allegations of severe conditions have surfaced. Activists continue to seek reforms, and some have urged local officials in Clearfield County to terminate the facility’s contract with ICE. With pressure mounting for investigations into these matters, questions persist over the efficacy of federal oversight in ensuring the wellbeing of individuals in immigration detention.

DHS and ICE have not provided any comments in response to the ongoing situation and the legal actions taken by Yangeng Ge, which reflect broader concerns about the treatment of immigrants within the U.S. justice system.