May 13, 2025

Contact: Paige Censale, info@haitianbridge.org, media@haitianbridge.org

San Diego, CA –— The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) is devastated and outraged by the tragic  death of Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman who died on April 25th  while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida. Ms. Blaise had been detained for over 10 weeks after being apprehended in the U.S. Virgin Islands, during which she reportedly endured inhumane conditions and was denied adequate medical attention. Others detained, also alleged ICE  they were kept handcuffed and shackled on a bus for several hours without access to a bathroom, confined in overcrowded cells, and denied basic necessities and medical care both en route to and within the Krome North Processing Center in Miami.

This marks at least the seventh death in ICE custody during fiscal year 2025 and underscores a broader pattern of systemic negligence and abuse in immigration detention.

Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance, issued the following statement:

“We are heartbroken and enraged by the death of Marie Ange Blaise. Her passing is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, systemic failure that dehumanizes immigrants and subjects them to cruel and inhumane treatment. The conditions she endured reflect a blatant disregard for human dignity and life. We demand justice for Marie. We call for an immediate, independent investigation into her death, and urge Congress especially the oversight committee, the Florida congressional delegation and local authorities to hold ICE, GEO Group and all those involved accountable. Silence and inaction are unacceptable. The U.S. must end the inhumane detention of immigrants and uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals—regardless of race, nationality, or immigration status. ”

Haitian Bridge Alliance calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a fully independent investigation into the circumstances of Ms. Blaise’s death. We also call on the Florida congressional delegation to use its oversight authority to hold ICE, the GEO Group, contractors and the Trump administration accountable. Marie Ange Blaise should be alive today. Her death must not be in vain.

ABOUT HAITIAN BRIDGE ALLIANCE

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “The Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies, foreign policy, and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and builds solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. Anpil men chay pa lou (“Many hands make the load light”). Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: @haitianbridge