Salvadoran Dies in ICE Detention Center in New Jersey

The death of Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo at Delaney Hall has put the ICE detention system under scrutiny once again. The Salvadoran died while in custody in New Jersey, at a facility marked by previous protests and complaints. His family says he was 39 years old and had been detained for approximately 6 weeks.

ICE, meanwhile, reported that he was 41 years old and suffered a medical emergency before being transferred to the hospital. His relatives’ account is very different. His mother, María Cornejo, maintains that he did not receive the medications he needed for diabetes and epilepsy, and that the facility ignored her complaints.

What Happened Inside Delaney Hall?

According to the family, López Cornejo reported feeling ill on Friday. Shortly after, he allegedly suffered a fall inside the facility, before being removed and taken to the hospital. His brother stated that the Salvadoran had lifetime prescribed medication. He also said those pills were never administered to him during his detention.

The mother added that she learned of his death from the hospital, not from ICE. According to her account, doctors told her that her son arrived with no vital signs. ICE presents a different version. The agency said that staff called 911 immediately and that López Cornejo received appropriate care. It also stated that the official cause of death remains under medical review. The discrepancy fuels a central question: Was there timely medical response? That doubt now falls on a facility that already had a poor reputation among activists and migrant families.

Why Is Delaney Hall Back in the Center of Debate?

Delaney Hall has been the site of protests and complaints about unsanitary conditions and mistreatment. Before this case, Haitian migrant Jean Wilson Brutus died at the same facility in December 2025. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman warned that if the denial of essential medications is proven, it could constitute a serious violation of rights. Her statement reflects the growing political clash in New Jersey.

@noticiastelemundoThe family of Salvadoran Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, who died in ICE custody, demands that his medical records be made public to clarify the circumstances of his death. The case is the second death recorded in less than a year at Delaney Hall detention center. While the family questions the medical care he received, ICE maintains a different account of what happened.

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Governor Mikie Sherrill also renewed her call to close the facility. Her stance adds to the pressure from civil organizations that have been denouncing the operations of Delaney Hall for months. The ACLU office in New Jersey stated that the death reflects broader problems in migrant detention centers.

According to that organization, the lack of adequate medical care is a recurring failure across the detention network. This case also fits into a larger trend. According to United Nations News, 18 people died in ICE custody in the first 5 months of 2026.