Haitian asylum seeker Emmanuel Damas died in ICE custody due to untreated health issues, sparking calls for accountability.
Background of the Incident
Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man seeking asylum in Massachusetts, died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 2, 2023. Damas was taken into ICE custody in Boston in September 2025, and had been held at the ICE detention center in Florence, Arizona, for the past four months.
Discovery of Damas's Condition
Last month, Damas reported a severe toothache to staff at the detention center, which worsened over time. His brother, Presly Nelson, informed CBS News Boston that Damas was taken to a hospital on February 19. By February 20, Nelson reported, Damas was on life support due to pneumonia. On February 23, ICE informed Nelson that Damas was back at the detention center, but provided no further updates on his condition. Four days later, Nelson learned that Damas was readmitted to the hospital and was scheduled for surgery on February 26.
Call for Accountability
In response to the incident, Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, along with Representative Ayanna Pressley, wrote a letter to the heads of Homeland Security and ICE, demanding answers. The letter stated, "ICE's failure to provide timely medical care to Mr. Damas appears to have contributed to his worsening medical condition and tragic death." They further noted that Damas's family alleged that ICE failed to provide him with timely medical care, allowing an untreated toothache to develop into a deadly infection. The senators and representative contended that Damas's death was "highly preventable" and raised "serious questions regarding ICE's ability to timely treat and care for individuals it detains."
ICE's Response
On Thursday, CBS News Boston reached out to ICE for a statement regarding the Damas case. ICE spokesman Tim Oberle responded, "We're working on a release on this issue. As soon as its approved, I'll make sure you get it." However, as of Friday afternoon, the press release had not been issued.
Ongoing Concerns and Statistics
According to Pressley, Damas is at least the 10th person to die in ICE custody this year. The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved medical care and oversight within ICE detention centers.
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