Senegal national in ICE custody dies in hospital

NEW ORLEANS — A Senegal national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody passed away at the CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, Feb. 23. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.

Ousmane Ba, 33, a citizen of Senegal, entered the United States at or near Lukeville, Arizona, without inspection, admission or parole by an immigration official on Aug. 31, 2023. U.S. Border Patrol served him with a notice and order of expedited removal charging him with inadmissibility as a noncitizen not in possession of a valid document required for entry.

On Sept. 4, 2023, U.S. Border Patrol transferred Ba to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New Orleans custody. He was detained at Winn Correctional Center in Winnfield ,where he continued his immigration proceedings.

Ba had been hospitalized in Alexandria since Jan. 30.

Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility.

Additionally, ICE notified the Senegal Consulate in New York City of Ba’s passing. ERO New Orleans staff notified 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 in the 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 on the Detainee Death Reporting page.