DHS cites recent policy shift after not disclosing death of Guatemalan man who had been in custody

On July 19, a Guatemalan man named Jose Chajon-Raxon suffered a seizure at the New Jersey detention center known as Delaney Hall. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that they did not publicly disclose his death because they were not notified that he had passed away after being sent to the hospital. Chajon-Raxon was taken to the hospital on July 19 and released from ICE custody the following day, on July 22. The specifics surrounding his hospital stay and the circumstances of his death remain unknown.

A policy change implemented earlier this year by the DHS no longer reports deaths occurring within 30 days of someone's release from custody. This decision reverses a 2021 policy put in place by the Biden administration. The change has been criticized by U.S. Representative Rob Menendez, who argues that it creates a loophole allowing the agency to release individuals from its custody without being held accountable for any deaths that may occur during their time outside of ICE's control.

Menendez claims that this policy shift aligns with the agency's approach under the Trump administration, which prioritizes avoiding public scrutiny and accountability. Chajon-Raxon's death came to light following the disclosure by Menendez, who noted that the man was granted a "discretionary release" from custody after he lost consciousness while in the hospital. His death occurred shortly thereafter.

The detention center at Delaney Hall has been a focal point of immigration advocacy protests in recent months, with demonstrators voicing concerns about the conditions and treatment of detainees. A hunger strike among some inmates was reportedly launched earlier this year, also in protest of the facility's conditions. Delaney Hall is owned by Geo Group, a private prison contractor responsible for operating multiple detention centers across the United States. The company has not yet commented on the matter.