Third person dies at New Jersey immigration detention center

José Chajón-Raxón, a Guatemalan immigrant detained by ICE, has died after experiencing a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey. Chajón-Raxón reportedly had "seizure-like activity" and was hospitalized, but his death occurred after he was released from ICE custody. This marks the third death of an immigrant held at Delaney Hall since its reopening in May 2025. The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE is no longer responsible for monitoring deaths after an individual is released from custody, a policy shift that has drawn criticism from U.S. Representative Rob Menendez. The facility has faced increased scrutiny due to previous deaths and allegations of mistreatment and poor conditions.

U.S. immigration officials did not publicly disclose the death of Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan man who had a seizure at a New Jersey detention center, because they were not notified of his death after he was hospitalized. Chajon-Raxon experienced a seizure on July 19, a day after arriving at Delaney Hall, and was released from ICE custody on July 22 after being taken to the hospital. The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE is no longer responsible for monitoring deaths once an individual is no longer in their custody, citing a recent policy change that rescinds a 2021 policy. This new policy means ICE no longer reports deaths occurring within 30 days of release from custody. U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez criticized this policy change, calling it a "loophole" that allows the agency to avoid accountability.