U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) released a statement following news of the passing of Edwin Lopez Cornejo at Delaney Hall on Saturday. Cornejo, 39, a resident of Plainfield, had been in ICE detention at Delaney Hall for about six weeks and, according to family members, was not given his medication for his diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Edwin had lived in the United States since he was a child. By all accounts, he was an upstanding member of his community. His detention alone was an act of cruelty, and if he indeed was denied his medication as his family reports, the operators at Delaney Hall should be charged with homicide. For over a year, community leaders, family members, Mayor Baraka, Senators Kim and Booker, Members of Congress, and the Governor have warned about the conditions at Delaney Hall. Now a second person has died at the for-profit prison. Delaney Hall is a stain on our country. Its continued use is a daily reminder of the cruelty of our immigration and criminal justice systems. It should be shut down at once, and those responsible for its inhumane conditions should be investigated and tried.”

Congresswoman Watson Coleman has requested from ICE: the timeline of events leading to the medical emergency, including when Mr. Cornejo became ill, when medical assistance was requested, and when he was transported; records regarding his medical care while detained, including access to prescribed medications and treatment for known medical conditions; whether required family notification procedures were followed; and any incident reports, medical records, or oversight reviews related to this matter.