USVI: Haitian woman detained in STX dies in ICE custody
POMPANO BEACH, Florida, USA- A 44-year-old Haitian woman being held in a Florida detention facility has died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency reported earlier this week.
Marie Ange Blaise was at the Henry E. Rohlsen airport on St. Croix when she was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection officers on February 12, 2025. She was reportedly there to catch a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Unable to find records of permitted entry, CBP reportedly issued Ms. Blaise a notice of expedited removal. Within days, she was transferred to the custody of ICE in San Juan, and then moved to an ICE detention facility in Louisiana on February 21 before being moved to Pompano Beach, Florida on April 5.
Twenty days later, Marie Ange Blaise was dead. According to the ICE announcement, “the cause of death is under investigation.” On Wednesday, however, House Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who serves Florida's 20th Congressional District, said that Ms. Blaise “had been complaining about chest pain for hours,” and was reportedly given some medication and told to rest. “Unfortunately, Marie never woke up.”
Meanwhile, the ICE announcement stated that “all people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health screening and 24-hour emergency care at each detention facility.” Complaints about overcrowding and inhumane conditions, however, have been rising, due to the ramped-up immigration enforcement actions ordered by President Trump. “Some facilities are operating above contracted capacity,” acknowledged ICE spokesperson Mike Alvarez in a statement to the Washington Post.
“ICE is diligently working to decompress these detention facilities while maintaining compliance with federal standards and commitment to humane treatment,” Mr. Alvarez declared.
_Skip_the_Ferry_copy_(2).jpg)
Follow Us On
9 Responses to “USVI: Haitian woman detained in STX dies in ICE custody ”
of days after they saw that her paperwork was not correct. Something here is not right and needs to be investigated. Her family must be devastated. I feel sorry for them and for her suffering while in custody. No one deserves to die because their papers were not up-to-date.
Yep...We too heading for the ultimate Independence and freedom to create our Hell.on Earth by example ...arrivals and samplimg of life in these VI post the unfortunate CARICOM arrivals and mass installation.
We can be called home at anytime anyplace.
What was her he,alth...people leave their self made hell joke of countries whenever an opportunity arise sick or well . Over there is slways better kn theur minds.Tis so in the free and Indepdndent self Governing Caribbesn island chain..Members of these BVI are pining for such self annihilation right?