A 44-year-old woman from Haiti died after spending over two months in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Marie Ange Blaise was pronounced dead on Friday evening at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. The cause of her death is currently under investigation.
Blaise had been in ICE custody since she was detained on February 12 while trying to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina, from the international airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. After being issued a Notice of Expedited Removal for not having a valid immigrant visa, she was transferred to ICE custody in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Within a week, she was moved to the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana, where she spent more than a month before being transferred to the Pompano Beach facility on April 5.
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who represents Florida, expressed concern about Blaise’s medical care while in custody. She stated that Blaise had been complaining about chest pain for hours before her death. According to Cherfilus-McCormick, Blaise was given some pills and told to lie down, but she never woke up. The congresswoman is calling for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Blaise’s death, emphasizing that her family deserves answers and accountability.
ICE has stated that detainees receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings, along with 24-hour emergency care at all detention facilities. However, the agency’s assurances have not quelled concerns from lawmakers and advocates who question the adequacy of care provided to detainees.
Blaise’s death is part of a troubling trend, as six other individuals have died in ICE custody since the beginning of the fiscal year 2025. This raises serious questions about the treatment of immigrants in detention centers, especially as the agency faces increased scrutiny amid a broader crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration.
Rep. Frederica Wilson, also from Florida, expressed her heartbreak and anger over Blaise’s death. She urged her fellow lawmakers to visit ICE facilities to better understand the conditions detainees face. Wilson’s call reflects growing frustration among many lawmakers regarding the treatment of immigrants and the lack of oversight in detention centers.
As the investigation continues, Blaise’s family and advocates are left seeking justice and answers about the care she received while in custody.