U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed Wednesday that Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan man detained at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey, died days after being released from custody following a medical emergency.
On July 19, Chajon-Raxon experienced seizure-like activity at Delaney Hall, a privately run immigration detention center. A nurse responded to the medical emergency and provided care before emergency services transported him to a hospital. ICE officials stated Chajon-Raxon was released from custody on July 22 and that the agency was not notified of his death after his release.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attributed the lack of public disclosure to a policy change announced earlier this year, which no longer requires ICE to report deaths of former detainees within 30 days of their release. This policy reverses a 2021 directive implemented under the Biden administration that mandated such disclosures.
ICE’s statement on the policy change
In a statement, DHS officials said: “Per ICE policy, when an individual is no longer in ICE custody then ICE will no longer be responsible for monitoring or reviewing deaths that may occur. This is common sense.” The agency did not specify when or where Chajon-Raxon died, nor did it provide details on the cause of death.
Reactions from lawmakers and advocates
U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who has visited Delaney Hall, criticized the policy shift as a “loophole” that allows ICE to avoid 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 in a statement.
Menendez had previously raised concerns about the unreported death on August 3, following another detainee’s death at the facility. His office confirmed Chajon-Raxon’s identity and noted he had been granted “discretionary release” before his death.
Background on Delaney Hall and policy changes
Delaney Hall, operated by CoreCivic under a contract with ICE, has faced scrutiny in recent years over conditions and detainee health outcomes. The facility’s medical protocols and oversight mechanisms have been a point of contention among advocacy groups.
The 30-day reporting policy change was among several adjustments made by the Trump administration to reduce transparency around detainee deaths. Prior to the shift, ICE was required to disclose deaths occurring within 30 days of a detainee’s release, regardless of whether they remained in custody.
Unanswered questions
ICE has not provided details on the timing or circumstances of Chajon-Raxon’s death, including whether he was discharged from the hospital before his death or if any follow-up care was arranged. The Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has not publicly confirmed the cause of death as of Wednesday evening.