The death of a Haitian woman in U.S. immigration custody recently raised more disputes and concerns over the country's immigration policies and human rights conditions, as documents confirmed her legal status in the U.S.
Social activists said that newly obtained documents appear to confirm that Marie Ange Blaise, the 44-year-old Haitian woman who died at a Florida immigration detention center on April 25, had legal status in the U.S., including valid U.S. work authorization.
"We have actually obtained information, we have turned over to her attorney, her work authorization and her social security card. She actually had her work authorization to be in this country and she should not have been picked up," Millie Smith, a social activist, said at a commemoration event.
Community leaders said Blaise was attempting to travel from the Caribbean island of St. Croix, part of the U.S. Virgin Island chain where she resided, to California to meet her newborn grandchild back in February. But instead, U.S. immigration officials detained her at the airport, and issued Blaise a "Notice of Expedited Removal."
The Broward Transitional Center where Blaise died operates as a private facility under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house detained migrants.
Florida politicians who visited the center following the death said the facility houses over 500 detainees with only one doctor on call.
On April 25, at the Florida detention center where she was eventually transferred, Blaise reported chest pains. Yet she did not receive proper treatment timely.
"Six times, she cried out for help, and what was given to her? A pill, a pat on her back, a dismissal into silence. She went to sleep and never woke up. As a registered nurse for nearly 44 years, myself, with decades of experience in critical care, I know we all know that chest pain is not a whisper to ignore," said Daphne Campbell, former Florida State senator.
Advocates are now pursuing legal options to seek justice and protect their community.
"Well. there's several avenues that we can proceed. Number one is the Federal Tort Claims Act, which people who are not cared for while under custody can seek a lawsuit to try and get some compensatory damages for what happened to them. So, we would be pursuing the Federal Tort Claims Act, in addition to the facility in Broward was run by a private company, Geo-group. That takes it out of the Federal Tort Claims Act, and I can sue them individually as well," said Marc Brumer, an attorney.
The Trump administration is reopening immigrant detention centers and closed prisons across the country, aiming to detain and deport more undocumented immigrants. Many facilities previously closed by the Biden administration face questions about safety conditions for detainees.
Death of Haitian woman in custody raises concerns over US immigration policy
