China seeks answers after citizen dies in ICE custody on Saipan
Lianyong Wei, 51, died on 23 August at a hospital in Saipan after he was found unresponsive at the local detention facility.
China is demanding answers from the United States following the death of a Chinese citizen in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on the island of Saipan. According to the Associated Press (AP), Lianyong Wei, 51, passed away on August 23 after being found unresponsive at a local detention facility. The Chinese Consulate-General in Los Angeles expressed concerns to US authorities, calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of death, notification of findings, measures to prevent recurrence, and assistance to the deceased's family.
Wei's arrest followed a reported assault on a family of five in the Northern Mariana Islands, where he had been granted temporary residency. He was transferred to ICE custody on August 22 and pronounced dead at a hospital the following day. The cause of death remains under investigation, with the consulate raising concerns over the handling of the incident.
Since March 2025, at least five Chinese nationals have died in ICE or US Border Patrol custody, and 57 ICE detainees have died under President Donald Trump's administration. ICE has faced criticism for not releasing information about Wei's death within the required two-day timeframe, and for not disclosing whether he underwent necessary medical screening upon entry into custody.
The Saipan detention facility has an average of 18 ICE detainees daily, according to ICE data. The CNMI Department of Corrections is reviewing its procedures in light of this incident.
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