News Summary
A 42-year-old migrant detainee was found dead in his cell at the Nassau County jail, marking the first such occurrence since the facility began holding individuals for ICE. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of death, with local officials emphasizing their commitment to transparent and humane treatment. Legislators are calling for hearings to ensure accountability, amidst concerns about adherence to legal detainment protocols. The incident raises significant questions regarding detention practices and the treatment of migrants.
New York — An unidentified 42-year-old migrant detainee was found dead in his cell at the Nassau County jail in East Meadow on Thursday morning. The detainee was discovered “not breathing” and was later pronounced dead by paramedics who arrived on the scene. This tragic incident marks the first reported death of a migrant detainee since Nassau County began holding individuals for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this year.
The Nassau County homicide squad, alongside the New York State Attorney General’s Office, is currently conducting investigations to determine the exact cause of death and to ensure adherence to jail protocols. Nassau County Sheriff Anthony Larocco has stated that the investigation will be “thorough and transparent” in establishing the cause of the detainee’s death. He emphasized the county’s commitment to treating prisoners humanely.
Nassau County has partnered with ICE and allocated 50 jail cells to detain migrants who have been captured in New York City and Long Island. Since February, the Nassau jails have housed over 1,400 migrant detainees under this partnership. Under the agreement, ICE detainees are typically held for a maximum of 72 hours before they are either deported or transferred to a long-term detention facility. For each detainee, the federal government reimburses Nassau County $195 per night.
Legislator Seth Koslow has publicly described the detainee’s death as a “tragedy that demands answers” and is advocating for a legislative hearing aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability regarding the situation at the jail. While Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has asserted that there is no evidence supporting claims of detainees being held beyond the legally mandated 72-hour period, concerns have been raised by state lawmakers about the potential for longer-than-legal detentions. Prior visits to the facility had reportedly revealed detainees without criminal records alleging that they experienced extended stays.
Furthermore, there are ten police officers in Nassau County who have been trained to act as ICE agents and are prepared to assist with any mass deportation efforts authorized by the Trump administration.
As the investigations progress, ICE has not provided any comments regarding the detainee’s death, despite repeated requests for information.
The situation highlights ongoing debates surrounding detention practices for migrants, especially as authorities and community organizations continue to voice concerns regarding the humanitarian treatment of individuals within the immigration system.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Guardian: ICE Death in Long Island
- Long Island Press: ICE Detainee Dead in Nassau
- News 12: ICE Detainee Dies in Custody
- HuffPost: ICE Detainee Dies in New York Jail
- Encyclopedia Britannica: ICE Detention
- Google Search: ICE Detainee Death Nassau County
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
