Statement From Rep. Mejia on the Death of Edwin Jeovanny López Cornejo at Delaney Hall

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) released the following statement after confirmation that Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, a 39-year-old father detained at Delaney Hall, died in ICE custody this past weekend:

“Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, a father who made a life here for 20 years, is dead, and my gravest concerns about conditions for medically vulnerable people at Delaney Hall are now confirmed. Edwin’s family has serious concerns about the medical treatment he received in detention, and I share those concerns,” said Congresswoman Analilia Mejia. “This is not the first life we’ve lost inside that facility. New Jersey’s own health inspectors have been denied full access, including the medical unit, again and again. If there’s nothing to hide, there’s no reason to keep them out. DHS must carry out a full, independent investigation. This family, and New Jersey, deserve real answers, justice, and accountability. Under these conditions, medically vulnerable people are being given death sentences due to the lack of care. Delaney Hall must be shut down. Abolishing and replacing ICE is the only way to correct this—a system that lets this happen again and again cannot be reformed. It must be rebuilt around human dignity.”