NEWARK, NEW JERSEY — Jose Chajon-Raxon died after being hospitalized following a medical emergency while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at Delaney Hall. His death occurred days after his release from the facility.

A nurse responded to the incident and witnessed Chajon-Raxon experiencing seizure-like activity. Medical workers were called, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Menendez disclosed Chajon-Raxon's death last week. He conducted an oversight visit to the ICE facility on August 3 to examine conditions and procedures at the site.

Menendez criticized the agency's approach to accountability. "ICE — consistent with the entire ethos of the Trump Administration — is dead set on avoiding public scrutiny and taking any accountability for its failures," Menendez said.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE is not responsible when an individual passes away weeks after leaving their custody. ICE was not notified of Chajon-Raxon's death, according to department statements.

Delaney Hall is a privately run immigration jail owned by Geo Group. The GEO Group manages Delaney Hall under a US$1 billion, 15-year contract with ICE.

The facility has an authorized capacity of up to 1,196 detainees. Delaney Hall re-opened in 2025 after previously holding immigrant detainees from 2011 to 2017.

More than 50 people have died in ICE custody nationwide since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. This total includes other recent deaths at the same facility. The current ICE policy rescinds a 2021 policy implemented by the Biden administration regarding the reporting of deaths within 30 days of release.

Why It Matters

The death of Jose Chajon-Raxon shows ongoing concerns regarding medical care and accountability within ICE detention facilities. With more than 50 deaths recorded since January 2025, the circumstances surrounding each case face increased public and legislative attention.

The rescission of the 2021 reporting policy alters how post-release deaths are tracked and attributed. This change means agencies like ICE may not be held responsible for individuals who die shortly after leaving custody, affecting transparency and oversight mechanisms.

Timeline

On October 1, 2021, the Office of Inspector General began a review titled Detainee Deaths in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Custody, FY 2022 through the Second Quarter of FY 2026, to determine whether systemic factors, policies, or processes contributed to detainee deaths that occurred in ICE custody from October 1, 2021. On December 31, 2025, Jean Wilson Brutus, a man from Haiti, died in ICE custody.

Jose Chajon-Raxon was detained by ICE at the Delaney Hall detention facility on July 18, 2026. He experienced a medical emergency on July 19, 2026. Medical workers were called and Chajon-Raxon was taken to a hospital on July 19, 2026.

A nurse responded to the medical emergency and witnessed Chajon-Raxon experiencing seizure-like activity on July 19, 2026. Chajon-Raxon was released from ICE custody on July 22, 2026. U.S. Representative Rob Menendez conducted an oversight visit to the ICE facility on August 3, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting provides further detail on recent events at Delaney Hall. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a 41-year-old man from El Salvador, experienced a medical emergency while in ICE custody at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, and was taken to a hospital, where he died the same day, according to a statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE stated that Edwin Lopez-Cornejo had been arrested on June 18 and was held at Delaney Hall before experiencing a medical emergency and being taken to a hospital, where he died on the same day. Representative Rob Menendez said ICE granted Chajon-Raxon a discretionary release from custody after he was taken to a hospital and lost consciousness.

Earlier coverage on 2026-08-05 reported: Legal defense organizations demands New Jersey officials investigate Delaney Hall after detainee dies in ICE custody. PureSource News previously reported: DHS Inspector General Cites Chokehold, Pen Stabbing at Winn.

"ICE — consistent with the entire ethos of the Trump Administration — is dead set on avoiding public scrutiny and taking any accountability for its failures." Delaney Hall is a privately run immigration jail owned by Geo Group. Representative Rob Menendez disclosed Chajon-Raxon's death last week.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on specific details regarding the death of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo. ICE stated that Edwin Lopez-Cornejo had been arrested on June 18 and was held at Delaney Hall before experiencing a medical emergency and being taken to a hospital, where he died on the same day.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement records state that Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a man from El Salvador, died in ICE custody this month after a medical emergency.