On Friday, May 2, Haitian-American Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) visited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Broward Transitional Center to assess facility conditions following the death of 44-year-old Haitian immigrant Marie Ange Blaise.
The two lawmakers toured the Pompano Beach facility, where Blaise died on April 25, after complaining of chest pains and receiving minimal medical attention.
Just one day before the visit, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick, who co-chairs the Haiti Caucus, led the Florida Democratic congressional delegation in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem calling for a transparent investigation into Blaise’s death. The letter highlights the numerous transfers Blaise underwent—starting from the U.S. Virgin Islands, then to Puerto Rico, Louisiana, and finally Florida—within just over two months, and raises concerns about her medical care and the physical and mental toll of such frequent relocations.
“According to ICE’s own statement, Ms. Blaise was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by medical staff,” the lawmakers wrote. “The federal government holds a solemn responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in its custody. The circumstances of Ms. Blaise’s death raise serious questions about the quality of medical care provided during her detention.”
The letter urges the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a transparent investigation, release the findings publicly, review detention conditions and medical records, audit safety protocols at the Broward Transitional Center, and disclose the officials responsible for transferring Blaise between facilities. It was co-signed by Reps. Wilson, Wasserman Schultz, Soto, Frankel, Frost, Castor, and Moskowitz.
During the facility tour, Cherfilus-McCormick and Wilson were denied the use of electronics and access to the press or outside observers. The visit included stops at the medical clinic, courtroom areas, cafeteria, living cells, religious areas, attorney-client interview rooms, and recreation areas. ICE officials disclosed that there is only one doctor assigned to approximately 500 detainees. Detainees also told the lawmakers that due to overcrowding, some have been forced to sleep on the floor.
“I left the Broward Transitional Center disappointed with what I saw and what I heard,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. “I failed to see any evidence that there were proper procedures in place and that adequate health care was provided. One single doctor to care for hundreds of detainees — with some being forced to sleep on the floor — is inhumane. Marie Blaise’s tragic death will not be a one-off if these cruel conditions persist.”
“Leaving the Broward Transitional Center, I have no faith in the leadership of the facility or ICE,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “They don’t even view the immigrants detained in there as humans and didn’t want to answer any questions on Marie… This administration has failed to fulfill its responsibility to treat detainees with humanity and to properly maintain its own ICE facilities.”
Wilson called for Congress to pull federal contracts from private prison operator GEO Group, which manages the facility, and pledged to introduce a resolution urging lawmakers to increase oversight by visiting detention centers themselves.
Following the tour, Cherfilus-McCormick and Wilson held a press gaggle alongside advocates from the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON).
“It is disconcerting and outrageous that ICE continues to put people’s lives at risk, with complete disregard for their humanity,” said Tessa Petit, Executive Director of FLIC. “How many deaths will it take for that Office to stop the bleeding?”
Mary Estimé-Irvin, North Miami Councilwoman and NHAEON Chair, added, “We demand a full investigation into her death and a commitment to reform immigration detention practices. The tragic loss of Marie Ange must serve as a catalyst for change—a change that prioritizes humanity, accountability, and the rights of all individuals.”
Blaise’s death marks the seventh death in ICE custody since the beginning of fiscal year 2025. The Haitian immigrant is also the second Caribbean national to die in custody. On December 16, 2024, Ramesh Amechand, a Guyanese national, passed away while in ICE detention.
