Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed Monday that an illegal migrant died in custody over the weekend at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, New Jersey.

The detainee has been identified as 41-year-old Salvadoran migrant Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, who died after experiencing a medical emergency while in ICE custody on Saturday. Lopez-Cornejo's cause of death has not been released so far. 

ICE said the migrant was taken to the University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead.

"While in custody, Lopez-Cornejo received proper medical care and was seen by medical professionals," ICE said. "ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout their stay."

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka criticized ICE in a social media post, claiming that because of the agency, "yet another family is forced to endure the unimaginable loss of a loved one while in custody at Delaney Hall.”

“The death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo is a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of a facility that has operated for far too long without adequate oversight, accountability or transparency,” Baraka added in the statement. 

ICE said Lopez-Corenjo's family has been notified, along with the El Salvador consulate in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

U.S Border Patrol arrested Lopez-Cornejo for illegally entering the United States without inspection on or around Aug. 13, 2006, and he was ordered to be removed on Aug. 25, 2006. He was sent back to El Salvador on October 19, 2006. 

Lopez-Cornejo illegally reentered the U.S. at a later unknown date and on June 18, 2026, ICE arrested Lopez-Cornejo in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was subsequently detained at Delaney Hall pending removal from the U.S. pursuant to a reinstatement of his prior removal order.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.