Investigation needed after death in U.S. Immigration Jail

An 81-year-old Haitian Minister Detained after Asking for Asylum Died
in Custody

New York- Human Rights First urges the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to immediately investigate the death of Rev. Joseph Dantica who died in federal custody while seeking asylum.

The Baptist minister fled Haiti to escape from danger and explained that he needed protection when he arrived at Miami International Airport on October 29, 2004. Instead of finding refuge, 81-year-old Dantica was put in an immigration jail by Department of Homeland Security officers. On November 3, 2004, the reverend died while in custody.

The Department of Homeland Security, in its statement regarding this case, states that Reverend Dantica had a pre-existing and fatal medical condition.

However Eleanor Acer, Director of Human Rights First’s Asylum Program said, “The decision to detain this 81-year-old man was simply inhumane and his treatment should be investigated immediately.” Acer added, “The Department of Homeland Security – just like the INS before it – is totally mishandling the detention of asylum seekers. They have failed to make necessary reforms – and keep jailing ministers and other victims of persecution, instead of making fair decisions about the need for detention in each individual case.”

In a letter to Secretary Ridge, Human Rights First has called for DHS to take immediate steps to improve the treatment of refugees like Reverend Dantica who flee from persecution and danger only to find themselves jailed in this country.

Since the Department of Homeland Security took over the functions of the former INS in March 2003, Human Rights First has repeatedly urged Secretary Ridge and the Department to take steps to ensure that asylum seekers who are detained are treated fairly, humanely and in accordance with international standards of refugee protection. There is a clear need for DHS to create a high-level refugee protection position within the Department.

Links:

Human Rights First's Letter to Secretary Ridge (PDF - 52KB)

In Liberty’ Shadow: US Detention of Asylum Seekers in the Era
of Homeland Security

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