New York, NY—A third person has now died in detention at Delaney Hall. The death of the individual occurred at the end of July 2026 and was not disclosed until an unannounced oversight visit at the New Jersey facility took place earlier this week.
This marks the third known death at the facility, including Edwin Cornejo Lopez, which happened this weekend, and Jean Wilson Brutus, who passed away in December 2025.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and humanity, regardless of their immigration status. The third reported death at Delaney Hall is a devastating tragedy that should have been prevented. Unfortunately, this death is not an isolated incident at this facility, but an ongoing pattern of abuse both here and at detention centers across the country. Facilities like Delaney Hall have long failed to ensure adequate medical care, food, oversight, or accountability. Deaths during detainment must not be normalized. These are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and neighbors. Delaney Hall should be permanently closed, its operators prosecuted, and all responsible officials held to the highest legal standards. Every day Delaney Hall remains open is another day that lives are put at unnecessary risk.”