Haitian Detainee Dies in ICE Custody Amid Allegations of Neglect
In a troubling incident at the Florence Correctional Complex, a 56-year-old Haitian national, Emmanuel Damas, passed away on Monday in a Scottsdale hospital while under ICE custody. His family claims that he was not provided with necessary medical attention by federal agents.
Damas, initially detained by ICE following his arrest by Boston police on domestic violence charges, reportedly began experiencing severe dental pain on February 13. According to his brother, Presly Nelson, the detention facility staff only administered ibuprofen, failing to address the escalating condition. By February 20, Damas was unable to speak, and Nelson received a call from a Phoenix ICU doctor detailing his brother’s critical state.
“And he said, your brother just was admitted yesterday, and was very sick. He’s on ventilation, he has pneumonia, he has a bad infection, but we are doing everything we can,” Nelson recounted.
The family faced significant hurdles in gaining access to Damas or receiving updates on his health. Hospital officials informed Nelson that ICE had restricted the release of further information following the initial ICU communication.
Uncertainty also surrounds Damas’ transfer between hospitals, moving from Honor Health John C. Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix to Honor Health Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, with the family unclear on the timing and reasons for this relocation.
After persistent efforts, Nelson and his family were finally permitted to visit Damas on the Sunday preceding his death. Describing their visit, Nelson said, “We walked into the room and we were greeted by security guards, he was on ventilation, he was on dialysis. We noticed while he was there, could barely open his eyes, he was still handcuffed.”
Damas succumbed to septic shock shortly after 1 p.m. the following day. The incident has prompted questions about the adequacy of medical care provided to detainees in ICE custody.
ICE has yet to comment on Damas’ death or respond to inquiries. CoreCivic, the private company managing the Florence facility, has deferred questions to ICE. Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, an agency spokesperson, stated in an email, “Once we have information to share, we will be sure you receive it.”
This marks at least the seventh death of a detainee in ICE custody this year. In 2025, 32 detainees died while in custody, making it the deadliest year in two decades.
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