Haitian Detainee Dies in Arizona Hospital

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Emanuel Cleeford Damas, a Haitian national arrested on assault and battery charges, died on March 2, 2026, at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center John C. Lincoln Medical Center, while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Damas, 32, was pronounced dead at 1:12 p.m. after becoming unresponsive despite attempts at resuscitation. The preliminary cause of death remains unknown, authorities say.

Damas’ troubles with the law began in Boston, where he was arrested by the Boston Police Department on September 14, 2025, for assault and battery. The following day, ICE Boston took Damas into custody at the Nashua Street Jail. His detention was directly linked to the controversial Laken Riley Act, a federal law mandating the detention of individuals with pending immigration cases deemed a risk to public safety. This act, critics argue, prioritizes detention over due process.

Following his arrest, Damas was medically screened, revealing a pre-existing condition for which he continued to receive prescriptions. He was transferred to the Florence Detention Center in Arizona on September 26, 2025, and subsequently ordered removed by an Immigration Judge on January 6, 2026. Despite filing an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals on January 27, Damas remained detained under the Laken Riley Act. The timeline reveals a prolonged period of incarceration even as his legal battles played out.

Damas’ health began to deteriorate in February. On February 19, 2026, he reported shortness of breath and was initially treated at Florence Anthem Hospital before being transferred to the ICU at John C. Lincoln Medical Center in Phoenix. A whirlwind of tests – including heart ultrasounds and blood work – initially showed normal results, but later revealed elevated levels of ammonia, liver function tests, and white blood cells. Doctors suspected septic shock due to pneumonia. The extensive medical record released by ICE details a frantic attempt to stabilize Damas, including intubation, ventilation, and multiple rounds of IV antibiotics. Two chest tubes were placed, and fluid was drained from around his lungs.

On February 25, 2026, Damas was transferred to Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center for a more specialized cardiothoracic workup. His family, notified on February 21st, finally arrived at the hospital on March 1, 2026, but their visit came too late. While MRSA tests came back negative, Damas’ condition continued to worsen. He died on March 2nd, leaving many questions unanswered about the care he received and the circumstances surrounding his death. ICE has stated they are cooperating with any potential investigations.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story. The death of Emanuel Cleeford Damas raises serious concerns about the treatment of detainees within the ICE system and the impact of the Laken Riley Act on immigration proceedings. The full medical record paints a picture of a man battling serious health issues while navigating a complex legal system, ultimately succumbing to illness while in federal custody. The agency has offered no comment beyond the initial press release.