Dear Neighbors,

Another week away from Washington means another week to meet with so many of you, whether around town or at our Princeton Constituent Resource Fair on Monday.

Sadly, we learned of yet another death at Delaney Hall, the 2nd in as many weeks and 3rd in the last 9 months. I’m working with my colleagues to assess how ICE failed to report the death for weeks and what can be done to hold them accountable.

Another Death at Delaney Hall
This week, we learned of another death at Delaney Hall. Jose Chajon-Raxon had a seizure on July 19, a day after being processed. His death went unreported by ICE for weeks until until Congressman Rob Menendez uncovered it during an oversight visit. News reports show ICE lied about the details of Chajon-Raxon’s death in an attempt to cover it up.

Earlier this year, ICE reversed a Biden-era reporting policy in order to avoid its legal responsibility to report deaths of detainees by “releasing” them when they’re admitted to the hospital, even if the detainee’s medical emergency is the result of treatment or conditions at an ICE facility. It represents ICE going out of its way to evade even the most basic accountability for its failures.

This policy reversal stems from a failure to maintain basic human rights and runs contrary to our nation’s values and humanity. When we return to DC in September, I’ll be joining my colleagues in Congress to introduce legislation to undo this policy change until Delaney Hall - and every private detention center - is closed.

Chajon-Raxon is the second Delaney Hall detainee to die in the last month. On August 1st, Edwin Lopez-Cornejo of Plainfield died at Delaney Hall. His family has claimed his medications for his diabetes and high blood pressure were withheld from him for weeks.

Mercer County Constituent Resource Fair
On Monday, my office hosted a Constituent Resource Fair in Princeton. My team was able to provide constituents with assistance from Federal, State, and County offices – including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and the Department of Education, as well as health and senior resources.

Local Alpha Kappa Alpha Award
On Monday, I was honored to receive an award from the Nu Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. As an AKA, it has been an honor to bring their commitment to service to my work for the 12th District. It's humbling to be recognized for this service.