Death in ICE Custody

Incident Overview

A Haitian national, Marie Ange Blaise, 44, who had been in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, was pronounced deceased by medical professionals at the Broward Transitional Center (BTC) in Pompano Beach, Florida, on April 25 at 8:35 p.m.

The cause of death is currently under investigation.

Blaise, who entered the U.S. without admission or parole at an unknown location and date, was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on February 12 at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as she attempted to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina. On the same day, CBP issued a Notice of Expedited Removal, citing inadmissibility due to her lack of a valid immigrant visa.

Detention and Transfer

Following her encounter with CBP, Blaise was transferred to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Miami on February 14, where she was initially detained at the San Juan staging facility in Puerto Rico. On February 21, she was moved to the Richwood Correctional Center in Oakdale, Louisiana, before being transferred back to ICE custody in Miami on April 5, where she was detained at the BTC in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Investigation and Response

In line with ICE policy, the agency has notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility about Blaise’s death. The Consulate of Haiti in Miami has also been informed. ICE has committed to providing transparency regarding the incident and will release further details in accordance with its standard procedures. Additionally, the agency will post a news release on the ICE public website within two business days, in compliance with its policy. Reports related to in-custody deaths are also available on the ICE.gov Newsroom and the Detainee Death Reporting page.

Statistics and Previous Incidents

This marks the seventh death in ICE custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025. A previous death involving a Caribbean national occurred on December 16, 2024, when Ramesh Amechand, a Guyanese national, passed away while in ICE detention.

Medical Care and Services

ICE remains committed to providing comprehensive medical care to all individuals in its custody, including emergency medical, dental, and mental health services. The agency emphasizes that no individual is denied urgent care during their detention.

Conclusion

The death of Marie Ange Blaise is a tragic incident that highlights the need for continued transparency and accountability in immigration enforcement. ICE’s commitment to providing medical care and services to individuals in its custody is crucial in preventing such incidents. The agency’s investigation into the cause of death and its response to the incident will be closely monitored.