Deaths Among Immigrant Detainees Highlight Policy Changes

The death of Lianyong Wei, a Chinese immigrant detainee, has raised concerns about detention conditions and policy changes in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Wei was found dead in a Saipan facility, marking the 57th detainee death since the start of President Trump’s second term, according to ICE’s notifications. Wei was arrested in the Northern Mariana Islands for attacking a family in their home. His legal status had ended in 2019, and he was taken into custody “without incident.” Wei was discovered unresponsive the next day during a facility check and declared dead at around 7:30 a.m. on August 23.

Wei’s case prompts questions about the treatment and assessment of detainees. Under Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations, detainees should receive a health screening within 12 hours of intake. DHS declined to confirm if Wei received such evaluation, stating standard protocol ensures comprehensive medical care is available upon arrival.

The government’s tally of immigrant deaths does not account for individuals like Jose Chajon-Raxon from Guatemala, who experienced a medical emergency at New Jersey’s Delaney Hall Detention Center and was hospitalized. DHS released Chajon-Raxon from ICE custody, but the timing of his death remains unclear. He is one of three individuals who have died after medical emergencies at Delaney Hall since May 2025.

Also absent from the count is Prisciliano Trejo from Georgia, who was detained while battling leukemia. Trejo sought medical help on July 6, but his request was delayed. He fell into a coma by July 15, and ICE released him on the same day. Trejo passed away on July 24. These incidents highlight the impact of the Trump administration’s policy shift, which removed the requirement for ICE to report deaths occurring within 30 days of release. DHS defended the change, stating ICE is not responsible for tracking deaths after release.