News Summary
Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian detainee, died in ICE custody on April 25, 2025, at the Broward Transitional Center in Florida. Her death, pronounced after ten weeks of detainment, is under investigation. Blaise was detained after attempting to enter the U.S. without valid documentation and had faced multiple transfers before her death. Advocates are calling for reforms in detention conditions following reports of overcrowding and neglect. This incident marks the seventh reported death in ICE custody for fiscal year 2025, raising urgent questions about detainee care and oversight.
Pompano Beach, Florida – Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman, died while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody on April 25, 2025. Her death was pronounced at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, where she was being held after multiple transfers during her 10 weeks of detention. The cause of her death is currently under investigation.
Blaise was initially detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on February 12 at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, while attempting to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina. After entering the United States without valid documentation, she was issued a Notice of Expedited Removal by CBP the same day, declaring her inadmissibility as an immigrant. No additional criminal charges were filed against her.
Following her initial detention, Blaise was transferred from CBP custody to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Miami on February 14. She was subsequently moved to a facility in Oakdale, Louisiana, on February 21, before ultimately being transferred to the Broward Transitional Center on April 5, where she remained until her death less than three weeks later.
In accordance with standard procedures, ICE reported Blaise’s death to several agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Inspector General, as well as the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. The Haitian Consulate in Miami was also informed about the incident.
ICE has stated its commitment to providing safe and humane environments for individuals in custody, asserting that all detainees receive comprehensive medical care while detained, which includes 24-hour emergency services. Following Blaise’s death, the agency notified Congress, and information regarding the in-custody death will be published on its website within two business days, with a detailed report expected to be released within 90 days.
Reports from other women detained alongside Blaise have raised concerns regarding the conditions of confinement. Testimonies indicate that detainees experienced overcrowding, were handcuffed and chained during transport without access to restrooms, and lived in unsanitary conditions. These accounts have prompted calls for accountability and reform in ICE facilities.
Blaise’s death marks at least the seventh reported death in ICE custody for the fiscal year 2025, which commenced in October 2024. Advocates for immigrant rights have continued to highlight the urgency of ensuring that individuals in detention receive appropriate medical attention and are treated with dignity.
In light of this tragic incident, there are ongoing discussions surrounding the need for improved oversight of ICE facilities, as well as the overall treatment of detainees within the U.S. immigration system. While ICE insists that comprehensive care is mandated for all detainees, the growing number of deaths raises serious questions regarding the effectiveness and accountability of their policies in real-world application.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Woman dies in ICE custody boarding flight to Charlotte
- Wikipedia: Immigration detention in the United States
- The Hill: Haitian woman dies in ICE custody
- Google Search: ICE custody deaths
- BET: Haitian woman dies in ICE custody after medical emergency in Louisiana
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration law
- WSVN: Haitian woman dies in ICE custody at Broward Transitional Center
- Google News: Haitian woman dies in ICE custody
