A 44-year-old Haitian woman died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody last week in Florida, as federal officials continue to investigate the cause of her death, The Hill reported.
Marie Ange Blaise, a Haitian national, was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. Friday in Pompano Beach, Fla., according to a statement released Tuesday by ICE.
The agency said the cause of death is under investigation.
Blaise entered the United States without admission or parole, ICE said, though it did not disclose when or where she initially crossed into the country. On Feb. 12, she was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, while attempting to board a flight to Charlotte, N. C.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determined she lacked a valid immigrant visa and issued a notice of expedited removal the same day.
The order is not subject to appeal.
Two days later, Blaise was transferred from CBP custody to ICE custody at the San Juan staging facility in Puerto Rico. She was then moved through several ICE detention sites, first in New Orleans and later at Richwood Correctional Center in Oakdale, La.
On April 5, she was transferred to the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, where she remained until her death.
ICE said it is committed to providing adequate care and safe conditions for those in its custody.
"ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay," the agency said in its statement.
ICE also emphasized that detainees are provided with medical, dental, and mental health screenings, as well as continuous access to urgent care.
"At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care," the agency added.
President Donald Trump has made border security and immigration enforcement a central pillar of his administration, and his administration has consistently defended ICE's practices amid criticism from advocacy groups and liberal members of Congress.
ICE provided no further details on whether Blaise had any known medical conditions or had requested or received care before her death.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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