Cameroonian national in ICE custody dies

PHILADELPHIA — A 37-year-old Cameroonian national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) passed away at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (MVPC) in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Dec. 6, 2023. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

MVPC staff informed ERO Philadelphia that Frankline Okpu had been found unresponsive in his cell and was receiving medical attention. Upon his discovery during a routine check, medical staff immediately provided emergency care and notified local emergency medical services. The detainee was pronounced deceased at 12:02 p.m. ET. MVPC notified the Pennsylvania State Police and the Clearfield County Coroner’s office.

Consistent with ICE policy, ERO Philadelphia notified the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Joint Intake Center. ERO Philadelphia provided telephonic notification of Okpu’s death to the Consulate of Cameroon in Washington and notified his next of kin.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained noncitizen denied emergent care.

Upon an official report of a detained noncitizen death, ERO makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders, and the media and posts a news release with relevant details on the public website within two business days, per agency policy. This information may be accessed here: https://www.ice.gov/newsroom. Additionally, Congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Bill (2018) require ICE to make public all reports regarding an in-custody death within 90 days. These reports may be accessed here: https://www.ice.gov/detain/detainee-death-reporting.