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Dying for Dental Care: Man's Death in ICE Custody
16 May
Summary
- Haitian man died in ICE custody from complications of dental disease.
- His death was attributed to a severe tooth infection and abscess.
- Family claims untreated infection led to his death in detention.
A Haitian man, Emmanuel Damas, 56, died in ICE custody on March 2, 2026, with the Maricopa County medical examiner citing complications from severe dental disease as the cause. Damas had been detained since September 2025 at the Florence Detention Center in Arizona.
He was hospitalized on February 19, 2026, after experiencing shortness of breath, and remained in intensive care until his passing. His brother and legal representatives have asserted that Damas died from an untreated tooth infection, a claim that contrasts with the medical examiner's classification of death as 'natural'.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva has requested Damas's medical records and a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding his death, seeking transparency for the family. The final medical examiner's report is anticipated later this month.
