Third Immigrant Dies at New Jersey ICE Detention Center

José Chajón-Raxón, a Guatemalan immigrant detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), died following a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey. The incident marks the third death of an immigrant held at Delaney Hall since the facility reopened in May 2025. Chajón-Raxón experienced "seizure-like activity" while at the detention center and was subsequently hospitalized, where he later passed away. The Trump administration confirmed the death, which occurred amid its broader immigration enforcement initiatives. Delaney Hall, operated by CoreCivic, is a privately run facility that contracts with ICE to detain immigrants awaiting immigration proceedings. The reopening of the facility in May 2025 was part of an effort to increase detention capacity as part of the administration's immigration crackdown. Prior to Chajón-Raxón's death, two other individuals had died while in ICE custody at Delaney Hall. The first death occurred in July 2025, and the second in September 2025. These fatalities have raised concerns among immigrant advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations regarding the conditions and medical care provided at immigration detention facilities. ICE has stated that it is committed to ensuring the welfare of detainees and that all deaths in custody are subject to thorough review. However, critics argue that the frequency of deaths at facilities like Delaney Hall indicates systemic issues within the immigration detention system. The specific cause of Chajón-Raxón's death is pending further investigation. The circumstances surrounding his medical emergency and subsequent hospitalization are being scrutinized as part of the standard review process for in-custody deaths. The reopening of Delaney Hall in 2025 was met with protests from local community members and advocacy groups who raised concerns about the human rights implications of increased immigration detention. The facility's history and the recent string of deaths have intensified these concerns, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability from ICE and its private contractors. The deaths at Delaney Hall are part of a broader trend of fatalities occurring in ICE detention facilities across the United States. According to ICE data, multiple deaths have been reported annually in recent years, highlighting ongoing challenges in providing adequate medical care and ensuring the safety of detained individuals. Advocacy groups continue to push for reforms to the immigration detention system, including alternatives to detention and improved oversight of detention conditions and medical services. The case of José Chajón-Raxón underscores the critical need for robust medical protocols and timely access to care for all individuals in immigration detention.