Lawmakers Demand Investigation Into ICE Detainee Death
Following the death of asylum seeker Emmanuel Damas from an alleged untreated infection, Congresswoman Pressley is calling for a formal DHS investigation. The push highlights urgent demands for improved medical care standards across federal immigration detention centers.
6 posts, 2 articles·February 20 – March 7, 2026
2 News·3 days ago – Yesterday
News
Haitian man from Boston dies in ICE custody in Arizona. Family says untreated toothache became deadly infection.
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ICE Denies Wrongdoing In Death Of Man In California Immigration Facility
HuffPost
6 Social·Fri, Feb 20 – Today
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FALSE. Emanuel Cleeford Damas, a criminal illegal alien from Haiti currently facing CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR ASSAULT AND BATTERY, died at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center while in ICE custody on March 2, 2026. The Boston Police Department arrested Damas for assault and battery on September 14, 2025, and ICE Boston arrested Damas the next day. After being detained, he was provided a medical intake exam where staff found no serious new medical issues but ensured he would keep receiving prescriptions for a preexisting medical condition. On February 19, 2026, Damas reported shortness of breath and was IMMEDIATELY sent to the Florence Anthem Hospital to receive care. He was then transferred to the John C. Lincoln Medical Center Intensive Care Unit in Phoenix, AZ, for a higher level of care. On February 25, 2026, he was transferred to another facility for a higher level of care and for a cardiothoracic workup. He was at this facility until he died. ICE provides COMPREHENSIVE medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare many illegal aliens receive in their entire lives.
Homeland Security on x
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Emmanuel Damas' death was entirely preventable. He died from sepsis. That started as a tooth infection while under ICE detainment. I’m urging DHS for a full investigation into his passing, and demanding proper medical care for all who remain behind the walls of these inhumane detention centers.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley on x
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Emmanuel Damas should be alive today. His death is unforgivable. No one should die in detention because ICE is withholding life-saving health care. This cruelty needs to stop and ICE must be reined in immediately. https://t.co/yH7UdM8cC2
Katherine Clark on x
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Horrified by the death of our Massachusetts neighbor Emmanuel Damas in ICE custody. He was denied medical care for months. I’m sending his family my deepest condolences. A family who has been robbed of their brother & son. Emmanuel is at least the tenth person to die in ICE custody this year. He pleaded for access to necessary medical care for his toothache, a basic human right, and was denied. This rogue agency is killing our neighbors—behind the walls of detention centers & in broad daylight. ICE cannot be reformed, it must be abolished. And there must be accountability for the killing of Emmanuel—it’s what his loved ones & community deserve. I won’t stop pushing for answers & accountability.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley on x