ICE Detainee Dies One Day After Arriving at Newark’s Delaney Hall Facility

Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national, died from a medical emergency just one day after his arrival at Delaney Hall, a detention center in Newark, under the auspices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to federal officials, Brutus’s sudden illness occurred shortly after his admission on December 11. Tragically, he was rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he died the following day from what was described as “suspected natural causes.”

Brutus’s death marks a significant moment, as he is reportedly the first detainee to pass away at Delaney Hall since its opening in May 2025. The facility, operated by GEO Group, has faced mounting criticism concerning its living conditions. Detractors have alleged that detainees are subject to inadequate meals, a lack of potable water, and extreme temperatures, raising concerns about the overall safety and well-being of those held within its walls.

ICE announced that Brutus did not exhibit any visible distress upon his admission to Delaney Hall and lacked any known history of cardiovascular issues. However, an eyewitness, an “Eyes on ICE” volunteer visiting another inmate, reported hearing staff urgently call for an ambulance, mentioning that someone in the intake area appeared to be having a seizure. Additionally, witnesses indicated that there was a significant delay in the ambulance’s arrival—approximately five minutes—due to the prioritization of incoming detainees.

The circumstances surrounding Brutus’s death have prompted calls for accountability from various politicians and advocacy groups. Many are questioning why it took ICE a full week to publicly announce the “disturbing” events surrounding his death, in direct violation of agency policy, which stipulates that such announcements should be made within two business days.

New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver has demanded a thorough investigation into the specifics of Brutus’s treatment and care while in custody. Alongside, Senator Cory Booker has condemned the conditions at Delaney Hall and the larger issue concerning the management of private detention facilities. According to ICE, Brutus entered the United States via the Hidalgo Port of Entry in Texas in June 2023 and had a history of multiple arrests prior to his detainment by ICE on December 11.

Brutus’s case is one of several deaths recently reported in ICE facilities, highlighting alarming trends concerning detainee health and safety. In total, 23 individuals have died in ICE custody in the year 2025, marking the deadliest year for detainees since 2004, as indicated by the American Immigration Council. Politicians are now calling for greater oversight and a reevaluation of the operations of such facilities.