New York-area ICE detainee passes away

NEW YORK – A Salvadoran national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) custody passed away Saturday night from internal bleeding and hemorrhagic shock. 

Carlos Mejia-Bonilla, 44, was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol on August 21, 1993, as an alien who entered the U.S. without inspection and was later released on an order of recognizance.

Mr. Mejia was convicted for driving while intoxicated and aggravated driving while intoxicated in 2009 and 2014, respectively. Both convictions were made in the Suffolk County 1^st District Court.

Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York arrested Mr. Mejia on April 1, 2017. On June 8, 2017 he was admitted to the Jersey City Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit due to gastrointestinal bleeding. On June 10, Mr. Mejia succumbed to complications resulting from his condition.

Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been notified about the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. Additionally, ICE has advised Salvadoran consular representatives.

Mr. Mejia is the tenth detainee to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2017.