Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old woman from Haiti, died on April 26 at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
According to ICE, she was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by on-site medical staff. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Blaise was first detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on February 12 at the airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, where authorities said she attempted to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina without valid immigration documents.
ICE stated that individuals in its custody receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings, along with 24-hour access to emergency care. In a public statement, the agency said, “At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.”
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, speaking on the House floor, said Blaise had complained of chest pain before her death and was reportedly given pills and told to lie down.
She has called for a “full, independent investigation.” Rep. Frederica Wilson also urged greater congressional oversight of ICE detention facilities.
ICE data shows Blaise is the seventh individual to die in its custody during the current fiscal year.
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