Haitian man dies from tooth infection while detained in Florence ICE facility, report says

PHOENIX — A Haitian asylum-seeking man who was being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florence is dead after a tooth infection was reportedly not given “timely medical care.”

Tucson.com’s Emily Bregel reported that 56-year-old Emmanuel Damas died Monday at a hospital in Scottsdale “due to complications from an infected tooth.”

She received the notice from Chandler City Councilwoman Christine Ellis, who posted on Instagram that Damas’ family said the man “first experienced a toothache in mid-February, which worsened in the days that followed.”

Damas was provided ibuprofen for his discomfort by Florence staff once he told them about it on Feb. 12, Ellis said, and was taken to the hospital last week.

Ellis added that Damas had been first taken into ICE custody in Boston last September before being transferred to Florence. He had been in the Arizona-based facility for four months.

The councilwoman’s full statement on Tuesday:

Im deeply heartbroken to learn of the death of Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian national who died yesterday while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement here in Arizona. He was taken into ICE custody in Boston in September 2025 and was ultimately transferred to a facility in Florence.
My prayers are with Mr. Damas’ family and the Haitian community during this difficult time. No family should ever endure such a loss, especially under circumstances that raise questions about access to timely and appropriate medical care.
Family members report that Mr. Damas first experienced a toothache in mid-February, which worsened in the days that followed. His reported struggle to receive timely medical attention before being transferred to a hospital raises serious and painful concerns about the quality of care provided to individuals in custody.
As a public servant and healthcare professional, I have engaged our Arizona congressional delegation to ensure that compassion, dignity and accountability remain at the center of how we treat every human being regardless of their immigration status. May Emmanuel’s memory inspire a renewed commitment to justice and humanity in all our institutions.
#whitehouse #Trump #TrumpAdministration #Congress #senate Obama stanton Biggs LifeNotDeath Gallegos kelly azgovernor Governor azstate florencedetention ice GodDontBlessNoMess GodIsWatchingYou God

Bregel wrote that Damas is the 10th detainee to die while in ICE custody so far this year.

ICE did not provide a comment in response to Tucson.com’s inquiry about Damas.

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