ICE detainee passes away at New York hospital

NEW YORK — A Dominican national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) passed away Thursday night at the Orange Regional Medical Center as a result of cardiac arrest.

Santo Carela, 60, was pronounced dead two days after he had been taken to the hospital, where he was admitted for additional diagnostic tests. Carela’s next of kin was notified of his death by the attending physician.

On June 29, 2016, Carela was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at John F. Kennedy International Airport while attempting to board an outbound flight to the Dominican Republic.  Carela had illegally re-entered the United States following a prior removal as an aggravated felon and his previous removal order was reinstated.  Carela’s case was presented to, and accepted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, for illegal re-entry after removal. He was detained in ICE custody pending transfer to the United States Marshal Service.

ICE  has notified the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New York City. Consistent with the agency’s protocols, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have been advised about the death, as have the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.

Carela is the ninth individual to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2016.