A 39-year-old man from El Salvador died after experiencing a medical emergency at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, sparking demands from his grieving family for answers about the medical care he received before his death.

Conflicting Accounts of Final Hours

Edwin Lopez-Cornejo died Saturday following what ICE described as a medical emergency at the Delaney Hall facility. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a Tuesday interview that Lopez-Cornejo died of cardiac arrest at a hospital after being transported from the facility. Mullin noted the detainee was taking diet medication and had no documented history of cardiac problems in his medical records.

The family disputes the timeline and level of care provided. They claim Lopez-Cornejo reported numbness in his face and arm on Friday, classic warning signs of a potential stroke or cardiac event, but was not immediately taken to a hospital. His mother, Maria Cornejo, questioned why medical staff did not order emergency transport when her son reported these serious symptoms.

Family Seeks Accountability

Lopez-Cornejo had known medical conditions including high blood pressure and diabetes, according to his family. They assert hospital staff told them his heart had already stopped beating when he arrived at the medical center Saturday, contradicting the official account that he died after arrival. His 12-year-old daughter made an emotional plea at a Tuesday press briefing, saying she would grow up without a father.

ICE maintains that facility staff and medical personnel responded immediately when Lopez-Cornejo experienced his medical emergency, calling 911 for emergency services. The agency said in a statement that the detainee received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals while in custody. The official cause of death remains pending further investigation.

What This Means

The family is demanding full accountability, including release of all medical records from both ICE and GEO Group, the private company contracted to operate Delaney Hall. They are also calling for the closure of the detention center and release of current detainees. ICE stated its commitment to ensuring all individuals in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. The case highlights ongoing concerns about medical care standards at privately operated immigration detention facilities across the country.