Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian national, died on December 12 at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Brutus had been detained at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on December 11.
Brutus was arrested for criminal mischief—damage to property—and had multiple prior arrests for criminal trespassing. He was transferred to ICE custody following his release from Union County Jail in Elizabeth, New Jersey. According to ICE, while at Delaney Hall, Brutus experienced a medical emergency. Emergency Medical Services responded and transported him to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
ICE reported that Brutus entered the United States illegally on June 20, 2023, at the Hidalgo Port of Entry in Texas during what the agency described as the Biden Administration’s border crisis. He was paroled into the country pending immigration proceedings.
Between July and October 2024, Brutus was arrested three times by the Elizabeth Police Department for criminal trespassing and released each time. On November 19, he was arrested again for criminal trespassing—a charge still pending—and encountered by ICE while detained at Union County Jail. An immigration detainer was lodged but he was released without notification to ICE.
On November 28, Brutus faced two counts of criminal mischief but was again released despite an immigration detainer. ICE eventually arrested him on December 11 and transferred him to Delaney Hall Detention Facility.
According to ICE, there were no signs of distress or a known history of cardiovascular issues when Brutus entered custody. The agency stated it notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Haitian consulate about his death as required by policy.
ICE noted that official notifications are made to Congress, non-governmental organizations, stakeholders, and media following any in-custody death report. Details are posted publicly on its website according to requirements outlined in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018.
The agency stated: "ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental, and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care."
