Haitian woman dies in ICE custody

A Haitian woman passed away last week in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, according to federal immigration officials. 

Marie Ange Blaise, 44, was pronounced dead by medical professionals in Pompano Beach, Fla., on Friday last week at 8:35 p.m. local time, ICE announced on Tuesday. 

Blaise’s cause of death is under investigation. 

ICE said in a statement on Tuesday that Blaise entered the U.S. without admission or parole, but did not specify the location and date. 

She was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S Virgin Islands while trying to board a flight to Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 12. 

The same day, CBP issued a notice of expedited removal, an order that cannot be appealed, saying she did not have a valid immigrant visa. 

Blaise was transferred by CBP on Feb. 14 to ICE custody at the San Juan staging facility in Puerto Rico. 

The 44-year-old was then moved to custody in New Orleans and later detained her at the Richwood Correctional Center in Oakdale, La., according to ICE. 

She had been at Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach since April 5 at the time of her death.

“ICE 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,” ICE said in a statement. 

ICE added that all people in their custody get medical, dental and mental health screening and “24-hour emergency care” at each detention facility. 

“At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care,” the federal agency added.