CLARKE, HAITI CAUCUS DEMAND ANSWERS FROM DHS ON DEATH OF HAITIAN NATIONAL IN ICE DETENTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 9, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: [email protected]

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Co-Chairs of the House Haiti Caucus, wrote to the Department of Homeland Security's leadership demanding answers on the circumstances surrounding the death of Emmanuel Damas while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Mr. Damas, a 56-year-old asylum-seeker from Haiti and father of two, was detained by ICE in September of 2025 and later transferred to the Florence Correctional Center, a facility operated by the private corrections company CoreCivic. In mid-February, while detained at the facility, Mr. Damas reportedly began experiencing severe tooth pain and requested medical care. According to his family, despite repeatedly reporting his symptoms, he was not referred to a dentist and was only provided pain medication. Over time, the infection reportedly worsened and spread beyond his tooth, eventually affecting his neck, lungs, and bloodstream. Mr. Damas was ultimately rushed to a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was placed on a ventilator and remained in a coma for several days before passing away.

"The death of an individual in federal immigration detention is a serious matter that demands transparency, accountability, and a thorough investigation. Individuals in government custody rely entirely on detention authorities for access to medical care. The failure to provide appropriate treatment for a potentially serious infection represents a grave lapse in duty and undermines public confidence in the oversight and management of immigration detention facilities," wrote the Co-Chairs. "Mr. Damas's death is a tragic loss for his family and loved ones. His case underscores the importance of ensuring that all individuals in federal custody are treated with dignity and provided with timely, appropriate medical care. We urge DHS and ICE to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter and to take all necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

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