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Haitian woman dies in ICE custody after guards ignored screams for help

Apr 25, 2025 · Pompano Beach, FL, Haiti

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman, died on April 25, 2025, at Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, after spending more than 10 weeks in ICE custody. She had been detained since mid-February after being stopped at an airport in Saint Croix, Virgin Islands without a valid immigrant visa, and was transferred through multiple facilities including San Juan, Krome North Processing Center in Miami, and a Louisiana facility. According to fellow detainees, Blaise experienced what appeared to be a seizure while in a kneeling position. When other women began screaming for help, guards ignored their pleas. One officer approached, looked at Blaise without intervening, and walked away. It took approximately eight minutes for a medical provider to arrive and another 15 to 20 minutes for a rescue team. She was pronounced dead shortly after. Following her death, facility staff told the women to stop making comments about what they had witnessed.

Timeline

Apr 25, 2025Blaise experienced apparent seizure at Broward Transitional Center; fellow detainees called for help but guards did not respond immediately; medical provider arrived after 8 minutes, rescue team after additional 15-20 minutes; Blaise pronounced dead shortly after
Apr 25, 2025Facility staff warned detainees to stop making comments about the incident
Feb 15, 2025Marie Ange Blaise detained after being stopped at airport in Saint Croix, Virgin Islands without valid immigrant visa

Sources

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