A 41-year-old Salvadoran national who illegally re-entered the United States after deportation died in federal custody at a New Jersey detention facility, marking the second detainee death at the controversial center in less than eight months.
Death at Delaney Hall Detention Center
Edwin Lopez-Cornejo died August 1 at University Hospital in Newark after suffering a medical emergency while detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. Staff from GEO Group, the private company managing the facility, responded alongside medical personnel and called 911. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials stated the official cause of death remains pending formal medical examination. Lopez-Cornejo had been held at the facility since June 18 following his arrest in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Federal records show Lopez-Cornejo first entered the United States illegally in August 2006. Border Patrol agents apprehended him, and a Department of Justice immigration judge ordered his removal on August 25, 2006. He was deported to El Salvador on October 19, 2006. The Salvadoran national later re-entered the country illegally on an unknown date before ICE officers arrested him in June. He was being held pending removal under the reinstatement of his prior deportation order.
Political Response and Facility Criticism
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill issued a statement expressing concern about the death and calling for answers. The governor said her administration is coordinating with the congressional delegation to gather facts surrounding the incident. Sherrill emphasized that the tragedy reinforces her position that Delaney Hall should be closed. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka echoed those concerns, stating the facility has operated without adequate oversight, accountability, or transparency for far too long.
The Delaney Hall facility has faced mounting scrutiny from state and local inspectors who accuse operators of obstructing health and safety inspections. The center has become a flashpoint for ongoing protests and detainee hunger strikes over concerns about food quality, overcrowding, and medical care standards. Another detainee, Jean Wilson Brutus, 41, died December 12, 2025, after suffering a medical emergency less than 24 hours after entering the facility.
Federal Response and Ongoing Investigation
ICE officials confirmed Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care during his detention. The agency notified the Department of Homeland Security oversight offices, the Consulate of El Salvador in Elizabeth, and Lopez-Cornejo’s next of kin following the death. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment about the incident or broader concerns regarding Delaney Hall operations. The investigation into Lopez-Cornejo’s death continues as federal authorities await the formal medical examination results.
Sources
New York Post: ICE detainee who illegally re-entered US after deportation dies at Delaney Hall
Who cares if they die ? They came illegally. Took a chance on coming and they lost. How stupid can our government be to try and stop the border crossings but if they make it we treat them like they are Americans and give them everything free. How long do we keep doing this before we completely go broke. We are at the breaking point. Keep them out !!!
What I do not understand is why are the Liberals defending this when they are taking their jobs away, and medicare or the perks that should be going to America Citizens. I guess it hasn’t hurt them yet. It won’t bother the Liberal until it is their job, husband, wife, daughter son or parents that are the victims of hate and crime.
As an attorney…I caution you all…VOTE REPUBLICAN EVEN THO’ YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT WHEN YOU KNOW THAT PARTY IS NOW GONE…SAVE AMERICA…VOTE REPUBLICAN>!!
The fed govt reports that 495 us citizens die in fed prisions in a year, why is everyone crying about about how few illegals die in detention!!
i say let all illegals in custody die of starvation
Medical emergencies happen in all places. This one happened at a detention facility. If he had not entered US illegally, twice, he would have been in his own country when he passed.
I agree about everyone voting Republican. Democrats are being taken over by Socialists and outside nationalities.
It’s horrible that he? died in a criminal illegal alien holding facility . Do I feel bad for the guards at that facility , YES , YES I DO , Do I feel bad for him? the criminal illegal alien NO , no I don’t , he should have stayed in his homeland and made an effort to come to America legally , THE RIGHT WAY , but he thought he was in the right to BREAK INTO AMERICA , well now they can ship him back home in a old coffee can
I worked for the U.S. Customs And Border Patrol Service for 40 years. The United States has the best medical service in the world and no one is denied treatment at a hospital. This is a fact and every person living in foreign countries know this. I worked border stations for 20 years and I have personally seen thousands of ill non-U.S. citizens enter our country (legally and illegally) knowing that once they get in, they will receive the best medical treatment in the world. We can not fault the ICE facilities when one of these (ALREADY) sick illegal aliens die. Every illegal in every ICE facility will use the (I am sick) ploy to stop their deportation process. Hell-I would do the same thing and so would YOU. The problems is akin to dropping a jar of marbles and trying to get them all before they fall through a drain. You can not do it!!
Won’t lose ANY sleep over it. He shouldn’t have snuck back into the United States.
So if he were at home in his own country, instead of having been here breaking our laws, he probably would be alive right now. But no! He WAS here illegally. I think this is his own fault and where ALL the blame belongs !