A 56-year-old Haitian man died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody earlier this month after his family alleges a severe tooth infection went untreated for weeks. Emmanuel Damas, who was detained in Florence, Arizona, passed away on March 2, sparking calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and raising renewed concerns about medical care within ICE detention facilities.
Damas was initially arrested in Boston in September 2025 following an incident involving assault and battery, according to ICE. He was subsequently transferred to the Florence Service Processing Center in Arizona and held under the Laken Riley Act, which prioritizes detention for individuals deemed a risk to public safety. An immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S. In January, but Damas filed an appeal, remaining in ICE custody while the process unfolded.
Presly Nelson, Damas’ brother, told the Scripps News Group in Phoenix that his brother began complaining of a toothache weeks before his condition rapidly deteriorated. Nelson claims medical staff at the Florence Correctional Center initially provided only ibuprofen instead of referring Damas to a dentist. This initial response, or lack thereof, is now at the center of the family’s accusations of negligence.
According to Nelson, Damas was eventually hospitalized on February 19 after reporting shortness of breath. His condition worsened, and he was transferred to the intensive care unit at John C. Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix, where he was placed on a ventilator. The family alleges they were given conflicting information about his status, including a period where they were told he had been returned to the detention center while still critically ill. Damas ultimately succumbed to his illness on March 2.
Timeline of Damas’ Medical Care
ICE released a timeline of events detailing Damas’ medical care, stating he reported shortness of breath on February 19 and was taken to a Florence hospital. The agency reported that an ultrasound of his heart and other tests came back normal the following day, while Damas remained intubated and on a ventilator with 50% oxygen. ICE stated that hospital staff notified Damas’ next of kin on February 21, and on February 22, he was still on a ventilator receiving 40% oxygen, with a likely diagnosis of septic shock due to pneumonia. Though, the agency’s timeline does not specifically mention the family’s claims regarding the initial toothache and inadequate treatment.
Concerns Over Medical Care in ICE Detention
The death of Emmanuel Damas has prompted calls for accountability and a comprehensive review of medical protocols within ICE detention centers. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) has sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons demanding a full and transparent accounting of Damas’ death, including a complete medical examiner’s report and a detailed accounting of all medical care provided during his detention. More information on Stanton’s demands can be found on his official website.
This case adds to a growing number of complaints regarding inadequate healthcare and rising deaths within ICE custody. A yearlong investigative series by Scripps News, “ICE Inc.,” has documented a surge in these concerns as ICE detains more undocumented immigrants. AzFamily reported on the timeline released by ICE. The family maintains that Damas’ death was preventable, stating that a simple trip to a dentist could have saved his life.
“All you have to do is get a driver and a security guard or two security guards to actually take him to a dentist,” Presly Nelson said, emphasizing the perceived simplicity of providing adequate care. The family is now seeking answers and justice for their brother’s death.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment on this case. As investigations proceed, the focus will likely remain on the adequacy of medical care provided to individuals in ICE custody and the potential for systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a developing situation and should not be considered medical or legal advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate professional support.
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