Salvadoran Migrant Passes Away at Controversial New Jersey Detention Center
Sandego.net – A Salvadoran national who was being held at a contentious immigration detention facility in Newark has died, federal authorities confirmed on Monday. This tragedy marks yet another loss for families navigating the U.S. immigration system, as Edwin Lopez-Cornejo became the latest immigrant to perish while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
Medical personnel at University Hospital in Newark pronounced Lopez-Cornejo dead on Saturday, according to an official statement from the federal agency. The privately operated Delaney Hall detention center has faced mounting criticism regarding treatment of those confined within its walls. Earlier this year, the facility became the focal point of sustained demonstrations over alleged inhumane conditions, with tensions escalating into confrontations between police and demonstrators that ultimately led Newark’s mayor to impose a temporary nighttime curfew.
Medical Emergency and Immediate Response
According to ICE, Lopez-Cornejo “experienced a medical emergency while in ICE custody,” prompting facility staff and medical workers to respond without delay. Emergency medical services were summoned via 911 call, and responders worked to stabilize the detainee before he was transported to the hospital. The official cause of death remains under review pending additional medical examination, the agency noted.
Age discrepancies have emerged regarding the deceased migrant. His family stated he was 39 years old, while ICE’s official statement identified him as 41.
A Daughter’s Grief and a Mother’s Plea
Lopez-Cornejo’s daughter addressed reporters through tears during a news conference on Tuesday, expressing her devastation at losing her father while he remained confined. “I’m going to grow up without a father. They didn’t even let him see me one last time before he died,” the young woman shared with those gathered.
“No one here is illegal,” she added. “Everyone here should feel welcomed, not seen as criminals.”
Her mother, Maria Cornejo, also spoke at the conference, calling for accountability on behalf of her son and others she described as being “hunted down like criminals by ICE.” Speaking in Spanish through a translator, she demanded justice for her family and fellow detainees.
Delaney Hall Under Scrutiny
The death of Lopez-Cornejo follows the passing of Jean Wilson Brutus in December 2025. The 41-year-old migrant died within 24 hours of arriving at Delaney Hall, reportedly from suspected natural causes following a medical emergency, ICE stated. These two individuals join a growing list of more than 50 detainees who have died since President Donald Trump resumed office and intensified efforts toward mass deportations.
Recent data indicates that 2025 recorded more custody deaths than any comparable year in at least twenty years, with 2026 projected to surpass that figure, CNN has documented. The rising toll has intensified calls for systemic reform within the detention system.
Political Response and Demands for Investigation
Lopez-Cornejo’s family has requested an independent investigation into his death, alongside full disclosure of all medical records connected to his case. They have also advocated for the closure of Delaney Hall and the release of all detainees, particularly those with medical vulnerabilities. Additionally, they urged New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to launch her own inquiry into what they characterized as a health crisis at the facility.
Sherrill expressed her reaction on Monday, stating she was “deeply disturbed” by the news. “My heart is with the individual’s loved ones, who deserve answers about what happened,” she wrote in a public statement, noting that her administration is collaborating with Congressional representatives to collect comprehensive information about the circumstances surrounding the death.
Rep. Analilia Mejia, a New Jersey Democrat, shared her observations from visits to both Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center. “I have spoken to people who are being either denied medication, timely healthcare or when they’re given their medication, it is a fraction of what they’re supposed to get. I’ve seen this and verified it with my own eyes,” Mejia told reporters at Tuesday’s conference.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who had previously called for an investigation into Delaney Hall, described the latest death as “a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of a facility that has operated for far too long without adequate oversight, accountability, or transparency.”
Lopez-Cornejo’s Journey to Detention
Border Patrol initially arrested Lopez-Cornejo for illegally entering the United States in 2006, subsequently deporting him to El Salvador later that same year. He eventually returned to the U.S. on an unspecified date and was taken into custody again on June 18 in Plainfield, New Jersey. Following his arrest, he was held at Delaney Hall while awaiting removal proceedings.
ICE maintained that “while in custody, Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals.” The agency confirmed that both his family and the El Salvador consulate in Elizabeth, New Jersey, were informed of his passing.
As investigations continue, the community awaits further clarity on the circumstances surrounding Lopez-Cornejo’s death and whether changes will come to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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