Haitian man dies in ICE custody
NEWARK, New Jersey (CMC)—The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says a 41-year-old criminal illegal national from Haiti, who was detained at Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, died on December 12 from “suspected natural causes.”
ICE said Jean Wilson Brutus entered its custody on December 11 after he was released from Union County Jail in Elizabeth, New Jersey, following his arrest for criminal mischief — damage to property.
He also had multiple prior arrests for criminal trespassing, ICE said.
“While at Delaney Hall Detention Facility, he experienced a medical emergency and local Emergency Medical Services was called. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) performed life-saving measures and transported Brutus to University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, and later the hospital pronounced him deceased on December 12,” it added.
ICE said Brutus entered the United States illegally on June 20, 2023 at the Hidalgo Port of Entry in Hidalgo, Texas.
He was then paroled into the United States, pending immigration proceedings, ICE said.
Between July 2024 to October 2024, ICE said the Elizabeth Police Department (EPD) in Elizabeth, Newark arrested Brutus for criminal trespassing three times.
ICE said EPD released him into the community all three times.
On November 19, 2025, it said EPD arrested Brutus the fourth time for criminal trespassing. This charge is currently pending.
On the same day, ICE said its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Newark “encountered him while detained at the Union County Jail (NUCJ) in Elizabeth, New Jersey and lodged an immigration detainer.”
ICE said NUCJ subsequently released him without notifying it.
On November 28, 2025, EPD arrested Brutus for two counts of criminal mischief and damage to property.
Despite, an immigration detainer, he was released to the community again, ICE said.
It said it arrested Brutus on December 11, 2025.
On completion of processing, ERO Newark transferred him to the Delaney Hall Detention Facility (DHDF) in Newark, ICE said.
ICE said when Brutus entered its custody on December 11, “he had no signs of distress during intake nor a medical history of cardiovascular issues.”
ICE said it notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Haitian consulate of Brutus’ death, as required by agency policy.
