SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, died on March 4, 2026, after a four-month detention at the Florence Correctional Center due to complications from a dental infection, according to reports. The case has sparked concerns about access to adequate medical care within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.
Christine Ellis, a councilmember and vice mayor of Chandler, Arizona, and a Haitian-American registered nurse, brought attention to Damas’s case, highlighting the difficulties he faced in receiving timely medical attention. Ellis stated that Damas initially complained of worsening tooth pain on February 12, 2026, but received only Ibuprofen from Florence staff. The situation deteriorated rapidly, leading to a septic infection and his eventual transfer to a hospital in Scottsdale the previous week, according to the Tucson.com report.
According to Ellis, family members of Damas reported that other detainees overheard Florence staff allegedly “laughing and saying he was faking” while he was experiencing severe pain. ICE acknowledged Damas’s death on Wednesday, March 4th, stating in an email to Tucson.com, “We will share something as soon as we have it.” Ellis shared images related to the case on her Instagram account on Tuesday, accompanied by a message stating, “No family should ever suffer a loss like this, especially in circumstances that raise questions about access to timely and appropriate medical care.”
Damas arrived in the United States through President Joe Biden’s humanitarian parole program for Haitian immigrants and had been in ICE custody since September 2025, following his detention in Boston. He was subsequently transferred to facilities in New York and Texas before being moved to Florence four months ago. The case underscores growing scrutiny of conditions within ICE detention centers and the medical care provided to detainees.
Rising Concerns Over ICE Detainee Deaths
The death of Emmanuel Damas adds to a concerning trend of fatalities within ICE custody. Tucson.com reported that at least 32 people died in ICE custody last year, a threefold increase compared to 2024. A February 13th letter from Democratic senators to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security cited these figures. So far this year, ten people have died in ICE custody, including Damas.
The number of individuals held in ICE custody has also risen significantly. Approximately 40,000 immigrants were in ICE custody when Donald Trump returned to the White House, a number that has since increased to 71,000.
Calls for Accountability and Investigation
Arizona State Representative Yassamin Ansari expressed outrage and devastation over Damas’s death, stating, “No one should die in these horrific conditions.” Ansari, a Democrat, further emphasized that she has witnessed “inhumane conditions and medical neglect” during four supervisory visits to ICE facilities in Arizona and pledged to continue demanding accountability.
Ellis, who is the first Black woman to serve as vice mayor in Chandler’s history, according to FHTimes, stated she ran for City Council “for the love of Chandler” and aims to represent all communities, regardless of their backgrounds or voting preferences. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ (MAG) Community Initiatives Coordinating Committee, as reported by Hoodline.
What’s Next
The circumstances surrounding Emmanuel Damas’s death are likely to fuel further debate over ICE detention conditions and medical care standards. Advocacy groups and lawmakers are expected to increase pressure on ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to address concerns about detainee welfare and ensure access to adequate healthcare. Further investigation into the specific details of Damas’s case is anticipated, and the findings could lead to policy changes or increased oversight of ICE facilities.
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