Ethiopian in immigration custody dies in hospital


Monday, 08.17.09



MIAMI -- Federal immigration authorities on Monday identified an Ethiopian man who died in their custody in Florida last week and 10 other detainees who had been left off the agency's list of deaths.

Including Huluf Guangle Negusse, 104 detainees have died in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement since October 2003.

Negusse died Friday at a Tallahassee hospital. The 24-year-old had attempted suicide, but no other details about his detention or death were available, ICE spokeswoman Gillian Brigham said.

The other 10 deaths were identified during a review of ICE records prompted by a Freedom of Information Act request last month, officials said.

They are: Elias Lopez Ruelas of Mexico; Felix Franklin Rodriguez-Torres of Ecuador; and eight Cuban nationals, Argelio Leyva-Arjona, Jose Alvarez Arias, Antonio Ayala-Garcia, Jose Rosell Sierra, Conrado Correoso-Jay, Silvio Lazo Reinoso, Angel Polanco-Molina and Jorge Lazano-Blanco.

All died in ICE custody between 2004 and 2007. Neither the circumstances nor the locations of their deaths were immediately available.

ICE Director John Morton has ordered a review of all ICE documents and databases on detainee deaths.

"This is a serious matter that we uncovered and it requires an immediate response. Appropriate tracking and accounting of the deaths of individuals in ICE custody is imperative," Morton said. "This highlights why I am passionate about the need for more direct federal oversight of ICE's detention system and the critical importance of the detention reforms I announced two weeks ago."

Earlier this month, Morton announced that ICE would re-evaluate the 33,400-bed nationwide system that holds immigrants awaiting court hearings or deportation.

Though the agency would seek to treat nonviolent people who aren't flight risks differently from those with felony convictions facing mandatory detention and deportation, an overhaul would not mean more releases, even with electronic ankle monitors, he said.

Two advocacy groups reported in March that immigration authorities routinely delay, deny or botch medical care for detainees, which may have contributed to some deaths in ICE custody or soon after their release.

Human Rights Watch and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center blamed the problems on unskilled or indifferent staff, overcrowding, bureaucratic red tape, language barriers, limited services and the detention of people who are elderly, have health issues or lack criminal records.


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