Federal officials have announced the death of a Haitian immigrant in ICE custody, bringing total detainee deaths to seven under the second Trump administration.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement published a statement concerning Marie Ange Blaise, 44, on Tuesday after she was pronounced dead four days earlier at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach.
The communique—which mainly concerned Blaise’s legal status, her arrest by border officials, and the agency’s medical notification policies—did not give details on her condition while in custody.
“The cause of death is under investigation,” ICE said, amid the organization’s widespread promotional campaign concerning immigrant arrests, detentions, and deportations.
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Blaise, who reportedly entered the United States without proper documentation at an unknown date, was originally detained in February in the U.S. Virgin Islands while attempting to board a flight to North Carolina. She was later transferred to ICE custody in Puerto Rico before being moved to privately-run facilities in Louisiana and Florida.
As first reported by the Miami Herald, Blaise had complained of chest pains and was given medication before an apparent cardiac episode on Friday, April 26. She was dead by nightfall.
“Our hearts break by the unfortunate death of Ms Marie Angie Blaise,” said Guerline Jozef, executive director of the nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance, in a statement.
“Her death is a result of cruel, inhumane policies and treatment of immigrants. We will continue to push for accountability on behalf of those who unfortunately find themselves detained, trapped without proper care or due process.”
Lawmakers and advocates have increasingly called attention to subpar conditions in immigration enforcement facilities, many of which have faced capacity issues under President Donald Trump. The White House has reported more than 66,000 immigrant arrests since January, leading to overcrowding and outsourcing—including to Cuba, El Salvador, and potentially several other countries.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat who represents parts of Miami-Dade County, has recently demanded accountability from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has promoted harsh immigration enforcement. Wilson inspected one Florida ICE facility in late April, corroborating detainees’ claims of poor conditions.
A report last year co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union noted that healthcare is of particular concern in ICE detention, where it says 95% of reported deaths could likely have been prevented with proper medical attention.
“Innocent people have died, like Marie Blaise,” said Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the only Haitian currently serving in Congress, in comments delivered on the House floor Wednesday in Washington.
“Her loved ones deserve answers. They deserve accountability, like so many immigrant families who have [had] their loved ones missing and who are hurt.”
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Carly Pérez Fernández, the communications director for Detention Watch Network, also spoke out on the conditions in immigration facilities, which she says have reached a critically dangerous level.
“We are deeply saddened and angered by the increasing loss of life in ICE custody,” she said in a statement.
“Trump’s cruel, multi-layered detention expansion plan is exacerbating the detention system that is proven to be inherently inhumane. No one should suffer in these conditions… Lives are in jeopardy.”
For its part, ICE says those in detention receive “comprehensive medical care” throughout their time in custody, including screenings and 24-hour emergency care.
“ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments.”
As of Thursday morning, the agency has not yet published a report on the death of Blaise. Federal legislation requires that they make such information public within 90 days.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
