China Demands Answers After Fifth Chinese National Dies in U.S. Custody

The Chinese government is demanding answers and a thorough investigation following the death of Lianyong Wei, a 51-year-old Chinese national, hours after he was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in the Northern Mariana Islands. Wei died on August 23 at a hospital in Saipan, according to an ICE news release issued on Tuesday. Wei had been arrested on August 21 by the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Safety for alleged criminal charges related to an assault on a family of five. He was subsequently placed in ICE custody on August 22, pending removal proceedings. ICE reported that a guard discovered Wei unresponsive during routine checks on the morning of August 23. He was transported to a hospital emergency room where he was pronounced dead after life-sustaining interventions were initiated. The exact cause of Wei's death is currently under investigation. Wei had initially entered the U.S. territory in February 2019 with authorization to stay for two weeks. U.S. authorities initiated removal proceedings against him in July 2026, and his next immigration hearing was scheduled for August. The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles stated it has been notified of Wei's death and has communicated serious concerns to U.S. authorities, requesting a timely and comprehensive investigation into the cause of death, notification of findings, measures to prevent recurrence, and assistance to Wei's family. Wei's death marks at least the fifth instance of a Chinese national dying in the custody of ICE or the U.S. Border Patrol since March 2025, according to data tracked by The Associated Press. Previous deaths among this group have been attributed to suicides (two cases) and medical complications (two cases). Since President Donald Trump's return to office in January 2025, at least 57 ICE detainees have died. This death rate has raised concerns among public health experts and immigration advocates regarding the conditions and care provided within ICE detention facilities. The Northern Mariana Islands is a U.S. commonwealth located in the western Pacific Ocean, and individuals taken into custody there are subject to U.S. immigration laws and enforcement. The circumstances surrounding Wei's arrest and subsequent death highlight ongoing issues related to immigration enforcement and detainee welfare within U.S. territories.