Haitian national dies in ICE custody

MIAMI, CMC – The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says a Haitian national died in its custody.

Last week, ICE said Marie Ange Blaise, 44, was pronounced deceased by medical professionals at the Broward Transitional Centre (BTC) in Pompano Beach, Florida, on April 25.

The cause of death is under investigation.

It said that, on an unknown date and place, Blaise entered the United States without admission or parole.

On February 12, ICE said US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “encountered Blaise at the Henry E Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, while attempting to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.”

On the same date, ICE said CBP issued Blaise a Notice of Expedited Removal, “charging inadmissibility as an immigrant without a valid immigrant visa.”

On February 14, ICE said CBP transferred her to the custody of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Miami at the San Juan staging facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On February 21, ICE said ERO Miami transferred Blaise to ERO New Orleans custody, who detained her at the Richwood Correctional Centre in Oakdale, Louisiana.

On April 5, ICE said ERO New Orleans transferred Blaise to ERO Miami, who detained her at the BTC, in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Consistent with its policy, ICE said ERO Miami notified the US Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Centre.

ERO Miami provided email notification of Blaise’s death to the Consulate of Haiti in Miami, Florida.

ICE said it “remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments.

“Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay.”

“All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health screening and 24-hour emergency care at each detention facility,” ICE added. “At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.”