Emanuel Cleeford Damas, a Haitian national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, died on March 2, 2026, at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Damas was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m. after becoming unresponsive. Despite attempts by facility staff to revive him, he did not survive. The preliminary cause of death has not been determined.
Damas had been arrested by the Boston Police Department for assault and battery on September 14, 2025. ICE took him into custody the following day under the Lanken Riley Act, which requires detention of individuals with pending immigration cases who are considered a risk to public safety.
Upon entering ICE custody, Damas underwent a medical screening that revealed no new serious conditions; he continued receiving medication for an existing health issue.
On September 26, 2025, ICE transferred Damas to the Florence Detention Center in Arizona while he awaited his immigration hearing. An Immigration Judge ordered his removal from the United States on January 6, 2026. Damas appealed this decision on January 27 but remained detained as required by law during the appeal process.
On February 19, Damas reported shortness of breath and was sent to Florence Anthem Hospital for care before being moved to John C. Lincoln Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Phoenix for further treatment. He remained intubated and sedated on a ventilator over several days as tests were conducted; initial results were normal but later showed elevated ammonia levels and abnormal liver function tests.
Medical staff conducted additional tests including MRSA screening and blood cultures while administering multiple intravenous antibiotics. The likely diagnosis was septic shock due to pneumonia; however, MRSA results returned negative.
Damas was transferred from John C. Lincoln Medical Center to HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center for advanced cardiothoracic evaluation after chest tubes were placed and fluid removed from around his lungs. He underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) decortication procedure but did not recover afterward.
Family members were notified and permitted visitation before his death occurred under medical supervision with guards present.
As required by agency policy, ICE notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Haitian consulate about Damas’ death.
According to ICE procedures mandated by Congress in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018—requiring public disclosure within 90 days—all reports regarding deaths in custody are posted publicly on their website through both news releases and dedicated reporting pages: https://www.ice.gov/newsroom and https://www.ice.gov/detain/death-reporting
ICE stated: “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 the entirety of their stay.” The agency also noted that detainees receive intake screenings within twelve hours of arrival at each facility; full health assessments within fourteen days; access to appointments; and emergency care at all times: “At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care.”
