Haitian Father-of-Two Dies in ICE Custody from Untreated Dental Infection
A Haitian father-of-two who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while seeking asylum in the United States has died from a severe tooth infection that was left untreated while in the agency's custody, according to his grieving brother. The tragic case highlights concerns over medical care in detention facilities.
Weeks of Pain and Denied Requests for Dental Care
Emmanuel Damas, 56, had been in ICE detention since September after being apprehended by officers in Florence, Arizona, just outside Phoenix. His death occurred on Monday, March 2, following weeks of suffering from an agonizing toothache, as confirmed by his family members.
Presly Nelson, Damas's brother, revealed to ABC15 that Damas had complained to him and their mother about intense tooth pain back in mid-February. Despite his persistent discomfort and pleas for help, Damas was reportedly denied requests to visit a dentist. Instead, detention staff merely provided him with ibuprofen, a common pain reliever, which proved insufficient for the underlying infection.
Rushed to Hospital and Family's Frantic Journey
Just days after Damas contacted his family about the pain, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to an emergency rush to a hospital in Scottsdale. Alarmingly, the family learned of this critical development not from ICE officials but through a fellow detainee, raising questions about transparency and communication.
Nelson recounted that he and his family immediately flew from Boston to the hospital, but upon arrival, they found Damas already connected to a ventilator and in a coma that had lasted nine days. The situation was dire, with medical staff indicating the infection had spread catastrophically.
Medical Explanation and Restraints During Coma
A nurse later informed Nelson that his brother likely had a tooth infection that did not receive proper medical attention. The infection had metastasized, spreading to his neck, lungs, and eventually his entire body, leading to sepsis—a life-threatening condition caused by the body's extreme response to an infection.
Nelson added a distressing detail: while Damas was in a coma, he was handcuffed to the bed, with both his feet and legs restrained, under constant surveillance by two security guards 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This has sparked outrage and calls for humane treatment of detainees.
Family Demands Investigation and Background on Asylum Case
The family is now demanding a thorough investigation into Damas's death, focusing on what actions were taken—or notably not taken—at the ICE facility during his custody. Nelson expressed frustration, stating, 'He had a toothache. All you had to do is get a driver and a security guard, or two security guards, to actually take him to a dentist. You couldn't do that, but you had two security guards watching him 24/7 for the last 10 days.'
Damas had come to the United States in February 2024 during the Biden administration, fleeing the severe turmoil in Haiti. At that time, Haiti was engulfed in massive protests against the unelected government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, whose administration saw gangs expand their power and form alliances, creating widespread chaos and violence.
Seeking safety, Damas applied for asylum, but his initial request was denied. He had appealed the decision and was detained by ICE while the appeal process was still ongoing. He had been in ICE custody for over five months at the time of his death, underscoring the prolonged nature of his detention and the missed opportunities for medical intervention.
