House Democrats from Arizona's congressional delegation are calling for an investigation into the death of a Haitian man in ICE custody last week.
Fifty-six-year-old Emmanuel Damas died in a Scottsdale hospital on March 2. His family says he began complaining of a toothache around Feb. 13, but was given only ibuprofen at the Florence Correctional Center — the ICE facility run by for-profit, private prison company CoreCivic where Damas had been held since last year.
He was hospitalized by the end of the following week, according to ICE, first at an area facility in Florence, then Phoenix, and finally at the ICU in the Scottsdale hospital where he died.
In a letter to DHS, Reps. Yassamin Ansari, Greg Stanton and Adelita Grijalva say at least five other in-custody deaths have been linked to untreated or undertreated medical conditions so far this year.
They’re asking for Damas’ complete medical examiner’s report, details about the lead-up to his hospitalization, communication with his family, and other details.
“His death is unacceptable and raises grave concerns over treatment and quality of healthcare that individuals in ICE custody receive,” the letter reads. “Additionally, this incident calls into question the training, standards and guidelines that DHS provides to ICE and detention center staff.”
Damas’ family says medical staff at the hospital said he died of sepsis, likely due to the infection that began in his tooth.
In a press release four days after his death, ICE said Damas’ cause of death has not yet been determined and all detainees receive timely medical care. The statement says he was first taken to an area hospital in Florence after reporting shortness of breath on Feb. 19. It does not mention the toothache his family says he initially sought help.
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