New Jersey immigrant called his mom from ICE detention to say he was sick. He died the next day

Tragedy at Delaney Hall: Salvadoran Father Dies Days After Calling Family From Detention

Activelifezero.com – A Salvadoran father’s final moments came not in the arms of his loved ones, but within the walls of a controversial New Jersey immigration detention facility. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, a 39-year-old migrant, passed away on Saturday after experiencing a medical emergency while held at Delaney Hall in Newark. His death marks another somber chapter in the growing list of immigrants who have perished while in federal custody.

According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, medical personnel at University Hospital in Newark pronounced Lopez-Cornejo dead after he arrived with his heart already stopped beating. The facility’s staff and medical workers responded immediately to the emergency, calling 911 as soon as they discovered their detainee in distress. The official cause of death remains under examination, with federal officials awaiting further medical evaluation.

A Father’s Final Call

The circumstances surrounding Lopez-Cornejo’s death have left his family devastated. Maria Cornejo, the victim’s mother, had been expecting a routine phone call from her son on Saturday, August 1. The day before, Edwin had called to report that he was feeling unwell, describing numbness in part of his face and one of his hands. A doctor was scheduled to visit and arrange medical tests.

When the telephone finally rang on Saturday afternoon, it was not her son’s voice on the other end. Instead, representatives from University Hospital informed Maria that Edwin had suffered a medical emergency at Delaney Hall. The exact cause remained undetermined at the time of the call.

“This pain. I will never heal from it. This pain is irreparable,” Maria Cornejo said, expressing her grief over losing her son under such circumstances.

Edwin’s condition had been deteriorating during his six-week stay at the detention center. He had lost approximately 30 pounds and was not receiving the medication he needed for his diabetes, high blood pressure, and epilepsy. He had also described being held in an overcrowded cell containing about ten detainees who shared a single open toilet.

A Daughter’s Loss

Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this tragedy involves Lopez-Cornejo’s twelve-year-old daughter, who had been unable to visit her father at Delaney Hall during his detention. Speaking through tears at a news conference on Tuesday, the young girl shared her pain and perspective on immigration.

“I’m going to grow up without a father. They didn’t even let him see me one last time before he died,” the girl said. “No one here is illegal. Everyone here should feel welcomed, not seen as criminals.”

Her words reflect a sentiment shared by many families affected by the detention system, highlighting the human cost of immigration policies that separate parents from children.

Delaney Hall Under Scrutiny

The privately owned Delaney Hall facility has faced mounting criticism for conditions experienced by detainees. Earlier this year, the center became the focal point of allegations regarding inhumane treatment, sparking dayslong protests that escalated into clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators. The tensions were significant enough to prompt Newark’s mayor to implement a temporary curfew.

Lopez-Cornejo’s death follows a similar tragedy in December 2025, when Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old migrant, died within a day of entering Delaney Hall. Brutus experienced a medical emergency and died of suspected natural causes, according to ICE officials. These two cases represent just a fraction of the more than 50 ICE detainees who have died since President Donald Trump returned to office and intensified efforts toward mass deportations.

Families Demand Justice

At Tuesday’s news conference, Maria Cornejo called for comprehensive action regarding her son’s death and the broader detention system. Speaking in Spanish through a translator, she demanded justice for her son, her granddaughter, and “everyone else who has been hunted down like criminals by ICE.”

The family has requested an independent investigation into Lopez-Cornejo’s death, along with full access to all medical records related to his case. They are also advocating for the closure of Delaney Hall and the release of all detainees, particularly those with medical vulnerabilities. Additionally, they have asked New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to launch an investigation into what they describe as a health crisis at the detention center.

A Growing Crisis

The statistics surrounding immigrant deaths in custody tell a troubling story. More detainees died in 2025 than in any year in at least two decades, and preliminary data suggests 2026 is on track to surpass that record. The rising death toll has intensified calls for reform within the immigration detention system.

Both the Department of Homeland Security and the GEO Group, which operates Delaney Hall, have referred inquiries to ICE’s official statement. The agency maintains that Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals while in custody. His family and the consulate of El Salvador in Elizabeth, New Jersey, were notified of his passing.

“ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments,” the agency stated in its official communication.

As investigations continue, the family of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo remains hopeful that their loved one’s death will contribute to meaningful changes in how the United States treats immigrants awaiting resolution of their cases. The tragedy has become a catalyst for broader discussions about detention conditions, medical care standards, and the human toll of immigration enforcement policies.