WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) delivered a floor speech calling for a full, independent investigation into the death of Emmanuel Clifford Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker who died in ICE custody after reportedly being denied adequate medical care after complaining about a toothache to the staff at Florence Correctional Center in Arizona.
“I will not stop until there’s an independent investigation into the death of Emmanuel Damas. At least 46 people have died in ICE custody under the Trump regime, and it cannot stand,” said Rep. Ansari. “It shouldn't be that damn difficult to provide humane conditions. ICE and companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group have billions of dollars at their disposal and yet are choosing to treat human beings in this country like animals. I will keep fighting until the American people know the truth about what is happening inside ICE detention centers.”
Below is a transcript of Rep. Ansari’s full remarks as delivered on the House Floor:
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in outrage over the negligence that led to the death of Emmanuel Clifford Damas on March 2, 2026.
Emmanuel Damas was a 56-year-old Haitian asylum seeker who died after reportedly being denied adequate medical care while in ICE custody after complaining about a toothache to the staff at Florence Correctional Center in Arizona.
On March 13, I traveled to the Florence Correctional Center to conduct an oversight visit.
I was met by more than a dozen people—including, to my surprise, private counsel for CoreCivic, the company that operates the facility and profits from mass detention.
When I asked basic questions—about medical staffing, available care, and what happened to Mr. Damas—there was extreme reluctance, especially from the private lawyer.
Under DHS leadership, and masterminded by Stephen Miller—the architect of Trump’s racist mass deportation agenda—ICE has made it nearly impossible for Members of Congress to do our jobs.
Despite following ICE’s arbitrary requirements, I was denied the ability to speak with detainees that day.
I returned on March 20, and what I learned confirmed the worst.
Detainees described Mr. Damas in excruciating pain. They called the medical care “fatal.” His face had swollen to the size of a potato. He could no longer speak or walk. Night after night, he begged for help—but was ignored. ICE only checked his blood pressure. By the time he was taken to a hospital, he could barely breathe.
Mr. Damas' death was a clear case of medical negligence at the hands of ICE.
I have called for a full, independent investigation into Mr. Damas’ death, including the release of his medical examiner’s report, a complete timeline of his care, and all medical records from his time in custody.
My heart goes out to the Damas family. They should NEVER have experienced such a tragedy—perpetrated by the U.S. government and funded by our taxpayer dollars that should be going to healthcare, food assistance, and programs that support communities.
And this is not the only case.
My constituent, “Yari”, is currently detained while suffering from leukemia. She has endured severe medical neglect for over a year.
What happened to Mr. Damas could very well happen to her.
Every time I visit these detention facilities, it brings me to tears. It’s sickening. It’s traumatizing. It’s deeply un-American.
Firstly, I will not stop until there’s an independent investigation into the death of Emmanuel Damas. At least 46 people have died in ICE custody under the Trump regime, and it cannot stand.
Second, I will be a hell no on ICE funding. Republicans are blocking essential workers from being paid just to protect a lawless, violent ICE system, while Democrats are pushing to separate ICE funding from the rest of DHS.
Third, I urge my colleagues to sponsor the DRAIN ICE Act and the Stop Inhumane Conditions in ICE Detention Act. These bills would rescind ICE’s $75 billion slush fund and improve oversight, transparency, and conditions in detention centers.
Fourth, release my constituent Yari now so she can receive the care she needs.
And finally, it shouldn't be that damn difficult to provide humane conditions. ICE and companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group have billions of dollars at their disposal and yet are choosing to treat human beings in this country like animals.
I will keep fighting until the American people know the truth about what is happening inside ICE detention centers.
I yield back.
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