Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man seeking asylum in the United States, died on March 2 at a hospital in Arizona while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to his brother, Presly Nelson, Damas had complained of a severe toothache in mid-February but did not receive timely medical attention for the pain.
Key Takeaways
Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man seeking asylum, died in ICE custody in Arizona after allegedly receiving inadequate medical care for a toothache that turned into a fatal infection. His family and lawmakers are demanding an investigation into his death.
- Emmanuel Damas died on March 2 at a hospital in Arizona after being detained by ICE since September 2025.
- Damas had complained of a severe toothache in mid-February, but according to his brother, he was not provided with timely dental care and was only given ibuprofen.
- Lawmakers Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Ayanna Pressley have called for an investigation into ICE's handling of Damas' medical care.
- At least nine people have died in ICE custody this year.
Damas was taken into ICE custody in Boston in September 2025 and transferred to the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona. His brother stated that Damas was denied requests to visit a dentist and was instead given ibuprofen for the pain. Despite his worsening condition, Damas was not sent to a dentist or provided with appropriate medical care.
On February 19, Damas was taken to the hospital after his condition deteriorated. He was placed on life support the following day and underwent surgery on February 26. However, he passed away on March 2. The cause of death is still pending investigation by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office.
Lawmakers Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, and Ayanna Pressley have written a letter to the heads of Homeland Security and ICE demanding answers regarding Damas' death. They expressed concerns about ICE's failure to provide timely medical care, which they believe contributed to his worsening condition and eventual death.
The family is also calling for an investigation into Damas' death and the actions taken by ICE while he was in custody. According to Nelson, Damas was handcuffed to his bed with security guards watching over him 24/7 during his final days. The family believes that proper medical attention could have prevented his death.
Damas is at least the ninth person to die in ICE custody this year. In 2025, a total of 33 people died while in the agency's custody, marking one of the deadliest years for detainees in over two decades.
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