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José Chajón Raxón’s death disputed as ICE faces cover-up allegations

Jul 18, 2025·Location: Passaic, NJ

Country of origin: Guatemala

José Chajón Raxón’s death disputed as ICE faces cover-up allegations
Photo via Documented

In mid-July, ICE agents conducted raids in Passaic, New Jersey, arresting dozens of residents, including Guatemalan national José Efraín Chajón Raxón, who was taken to the Delaney Hall detention facility. He died soon after suffering a medical emergency, becoming the second person to die connected to the facility within a month. The Department of Homeland Security says he was released from custody on July 22 and died weeks later, but reporting from Status Coup and ABC News, along with accounts from immigrant-rights organizers, indicates he was released almost immediately after being detained and died shortly afterward. New Jersey Congressman Rob Menendez has said ICE can avoid reporting a detainee's death if the person is released from custody beforehand. At least 75 people, including one U.S. citizen, were arrested by ICE in Passaic that month, with arrests spiking 4,200% compared to the previous year.

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