A 51-year-old Chinese national, Lianyong Wei, died less than a day after being transferred into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in the Northern Mariana Islands, authorities confirmed on August 23. Wei was found unresponsive during routine morning checks at the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Corrections facility in Saipan, where he had been held on behalf of ICE. He was transported to a local hospital, where medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures before he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:30 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time.
Wei had been arrested by local authorities on August 21 on allegations including assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and assault and battery. ICE confirmed he was transferred into its custody on August 22 while awaiting immigration proceedings. His official cause of death remains under investigation, according to ICE.
ICE detainee deaths rise under expanded enforcement
Wei’s death marks the 57th recorded death in ICE detainee custody since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, and the 24th this year, based on ICE’s detainee death notifications. The tally reflects ICE’s official reporting system and does not include individuals who died after release from custody. ICE has adjusted its reporting practices, meaning some post-release deaths may not be captured in its detainee death notifications.
The deaths coincide with a significant expansion of immigration enforcement under the current administration. ICE has increased immigration arrests, deportations, and detention capacity, while deploying federal immigration agents in communities nationwide. As of July 11, 2026, ICE reported holding 65,765 detainees, with 89% (58,231) originally arrested by ICE.
Health screening protocols under scrutiny
ICE stated that comprehensive medical care is provided from intake through the entirety of a detainee’s stay, in line with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations requiring a basic health screening within 12 hours of intake. However, DHS declined to confirm whether Wei had undergone such an evaluation, citing standard policy language. The agency did not respond to requests for verification of Wei’s compliance with intake screening protocols.
The case follows the death of Jose Chajon-Raxon, a Guatemalan man detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey, on July 18. Chajon-Raxon’s death was not included in ICE’s detainee death notifications, as it occurred after his release from custody. The circumstances surrounding both deaths have raised questions about detention conditions and healthcare access in ICE facilities.