Latest news with #ChaofengGe
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chinese ICE detainee dies by suicide days after transfer to Pennsylvania facility
[Source] Chaofeng Ge, a 32-year-old Chinese national, died by suicide just five days after entering U.S. immigration custody, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ge was reportedly found 'hanging by the neck' in a shower stall at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, on the morning of Aug. 5. Staff attempted CPR and called emergency services, but he was pronounced dead shortly after 6 a.m. by the Clearfield County coroner. Detention timeline Ge was arrested in January by police in Lower Paxton Township after officers found stolen credit card data on his phone. He pleaded guilty to access device fraud and related charges on July 31 and was sentenced to concurrent terms of six to 12 months. ICE assumed custody of him the same day through an immigration detainer. At the time of his death, Ge was awaiting a hearing before the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review. ICE said a handwritten note was recovered near the scene and there were no signs of foul play. The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating, and ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility was notified in line with agency protocol. Trending on NextShark: Pattern raises oversight concerns Ge's death is one of at least 14 reported in ICE custody so far in fiscal year 2025, surpassing last year's total of 12. At least three of this year's cases, including Ge's, have been classified as suicides. Advocates and former officials have raised concerns about underreporting and lack of transparency, warning that the true number of deaths may be higher. Two other Asian men have died in ICE custody this year. In July, Tien Xuan Phan, a 55-year-old Vietnamese national, died at a hospital in San Antonio after experiencing seizures and vomiting while detained in Karnes County, Texas. In March, Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, also 55 and diagnosed with dementia, died from pneumonia at a hospital in El Paso. Both deaths remain under formal review. Trending on NextShark: Reform calls and ICE response Advocacy groups have renewed demands for stronger oversight and better medical safeguards within immigration detention facilities. The Moshannon Valley Processing Center, where Ge was held, has been the subject of ongoing criticism for inadequate health care, limited legal access and poor living conditions. A 2024 report by Temple University highlighted widespread complaints from detainees, including allegations of neglect and mistreatment. ICE stated that all detainees receive medical, dental and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arrival, followed by a comprehensive health assessment within 14 days. The agency said emergency care is available around the clock and reiterated its commitment to humane treatment. ICE has notified the Chinese embassy, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General and members of Congress in connection with the recent death. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
ICE detainee found hanging in detention center — shocking incident sparks outrage
Chaofeng Ge, a 32-year-old Chinese national, was found dead by apparent suicide at the Clearfield County Jail in Pennsylvania while in ICE custody. Authorities report he was discovered hanging in a shower area and a note was found nearby. The case is under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility. Advocacy groups are renewing concerns about detainee mental health and oversight in immigration detention centers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads ICE Opens Internal Review Amid Ongoing Investigation Calls for Reform After Latest In-Custody Death Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs: A 32-year-old Chinese national held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE ) custody has died in what authorities have ruled a suicide. Chaofeng Ge was found unresponsive on August 1 at the Clearfield County Jail in Pennsylvania, where he had been detained for five days. ICE officials say Ge was discovered in the shower area of his housing unit and appeared to have hanged himself. Despite immediate efforts by facility staff to perform CPR, he was pronounced dead shortly before 6 Clearfield County Coroner confirmed the cause of death as suicide and reported that a handwritten note was recovered at the scene. There were no signs of foul play, according to ICE, and Pennsylvania State Police have launched an stated that it had notified its Office of Professional Responsibility to begin an internal review of the incident, which is standard procedure in such cases. The Clearfield County Jail, where Ge was held, operates under a contract with ICE to house immigration detainees. While officials did not disclose the reason for Ge's detention or his immigration status at the time of his death, they confirmed that he was not involved in any criminal incident during part of the review, authorities will examine whether any procedural lapses occurred and assess the adequacy of detainee monitoring and mental health support. ICE has said it will make additional information available as the investigation case has reignited concerns among immigrant advocacy groups regarding the treatment of detainees and the mental health conditions inside ICE facilities. Human rights organizations have frequently criticized the agency for lacking proper safeguards, including timely medical and psychological support. With this latest death, watchdog groups are once again calling for stronger oversight, transparency, and accountability in immigration detention officials reiterated their commitment to detainee welfare and promised full cooperation with the investigation. As of now, details about Chaofeng Ge's family or legal representation have not been made public.A1. ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It enforces immigration laws and oversees detention and deportation of individuals in violation of U.S. immigration regulations.A2. There's no fixed time limit, but detention can last weeks or even months. It depends on legal proceedings and immigration court backlogs.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
ICE detainee found hanging by neck in detention facility
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee died by suicide while in custody after he was found hanging by his neck in the shower room at the Pennsylvania facility where he was being held, according to officials. Chaofeng Ge, a 32-year-old citizen of China in ICE custody, was pronounced dead by the Clearfield County coroner at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, according to ICE. Ge was found hanging by the neck and unresponsive in the shower room of his detention pod, ICE said. Ge's death was determined to be a suicide after investigators discovered a handwritten note and no foul play was found, according to Pennsylvania State Police. MORE: ICE recruitment efforts upset some local law enforcement leaders Staff who discovered Ge immediately lowered him to the ground, began CPR and contacted emergency medical services, state police and the coroner's office, according to ICE. Ge had been in ICE custody for only five days and was awaiting a hearing before the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review, ICE said. Ge was detained at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. He was arrested in January at a CVS after the store reported him for fraudulently using a credit card to buy gift cards, according to Lower Paxton Township police. "An investigation was initiated, where Ge was found to be in possession of numerous stolen credit card numbers located within his cell phone," police said. Ge was arrested for criminal use of a communication facility, unlawful use of a computer and access device fraud, according to ICE. ICE Philadelphia's Enforcement and Removal Operations York sub-office lodged an immigration detainer with the Dauphin County Prison one day after he was arrested. Ge, who was from Flushing, Queens, pleaded guilty to accessing a device issued to another who did not authorize use and conspiracy to commit the same on July 31, according to ICE, and was sentenced to six to 12 months for each count and granted immediate release to the ICE detainer. He was then taken into ICE custody and transported to the York ICE office for processing, ICE said. MORE: IndyCar says it was unaware of DHS's use of AI-generated image featuring ICE branding "ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments," ICE said in a statement. "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, access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care," ICE said. The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged in a statement there was an in-custody death at the processing center. 'This morning, one detainee passed away at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. All in-custody deaths are tragic, taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated by law enforcement," a senior DHS official told ABC News. "ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously," the official said. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
ICE detainee found hanging by neck in detention facility
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee has died in custody after he was found hanging by his neck in the shower room at the Pennsylvania facility where he was being held, according to ICE. Chaofeng Ge, a 32-year-old citizen of China in ICE custody, was pronounced dead by the Clearfield County coroner at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, according to ICE. While the cause of death is under investigation, Ge was found hanging by the neck and unresponsive in the shower room of his detention pod, ICE said. MORE: ICE recruitment efforts upset some local law enforcement leaders Staff who discovered Ge immediately lowered him to the ground, began CPR and contacted emergency medical services, state police and the coroner's office, according to ICE. Ge had been in ICE custody for only five days and was awaiting a hearing before the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review, ICE said. Ge was detained at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. He was arrested in January for criminal use of a communication facility, unlawful use of a computer and access device fraud, according to ICE. ICE Philadelphia's Enforcement and Removal Operations York sub-office lodged an immigration detainer with the Dauphin County Prison one day after he was arrested. Ge pleaded guilty to accessing a device issued to another who did not authorize use and conspiracy to commit the same on July 31, according to ICE, and was sentenced to six to 12 months for each count and granted immediate release to the ICE detainer. He was then taken into ICE custody and transported to the York ICE office for processing, ICE said. MORE: IndyCar says it was unaware of DHS's use of AI-generated image featuring ICE branding "ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments," ICE said in a statement. "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, access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care," ICE said. The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged in a statement there was an in-custody death at the processing center. 'This morning, one detainee passed away at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. All in-custody deaths are tragic, taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated by law enforcement," a senior DHS official told ABC News. "ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously," the official said.
