A Salvadoran migrant detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, died following a medical emergency over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed on Monday.
Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, 41, was transported to an area hospital after experiencing the emergency at the facility. He was pronounced dead on Saturday. The official cause of death is pending, ICE stated.
Lopez-Cornejo was arrested on June 18 in Plainfield, New Jersey, and was being held at Delaney Hall pending removal from the United States. ICE said he had illegally entered the U.S. in August 2006, was removed to El Salvador in October 2006, and later reentered the country at an unspecified date.
New Jersey officials expressed concern following the death. Gov. Mikie Sherrill stated she was "deeply disturbed" and that her administration is working with the Congressional delegation to gather facts. "My heart is with the individual's loved ones, who deserve answers about what happened," Sherrill said.
Rep. Rob Menendez, D-New Jersey, said Lopez-Cornejo reported difficulties and collapsed at the facility on Saturday. CPR was administered before he was taken to the hospital. Menendez indicated that ICE could not immediately provide specific medical details, which will be requested.
ICE maintained that Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care while in custody and stated the agency is committed to ensuring safe and humane environments for detainees.
Delaney Hall reopened as an ICE detention facility last year. In December 2025, Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old man from Haiti, died at the facility from suspected natural causes shortly after entering ICE custody. Both Sherrill and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka have renewed calls for the closure of Delaney Hall, citing a lack of oversight and transparency.