What the official said

Full statement from City of Newark Official:

In less than a year, yet another family is forced to endure the unimaginable loss of a loved one while in custody at Delaney Hall. The death of Edwin Jovanny Lopez Cornejo is a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of a facility that has operated for far too long without adequate oversight, accountability or transparency.

GEO group and ICE have repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for transparency, public oversight and the laws designed to protect the health, safety and dignity of those in their custody. When accountability is absent, tragedies become all too common.

We cannot allow these disturbing failures to continue unchecked. We must speak out against these injustices, demand answers and continue to call for the closure of Delaney Hall. Every person, regardless of their immigration status, deserves to be treated with dignity, humanity, respect and care.

I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Cornejo's family, loved ones and all of those mourning this devasting loss.

Source and attribution: Jersey Alerts reviewed the primary official release from City of Newark Official and any additional sources identified above. Names, dates, figures, quotations, claims and characterizations remain attributed to their cited source unless Jersey Alerts states that they were independently confirmed.

Read the official release