March 27, 2026
WATCH: On House Floor, Pressley Honors Emmanuel Damas, Constituent Who Died in ICE Custody
ICE’s Refusal to Provide Necessary Medical Care Led to Damas’ Tragic Death While in Detention
WASHINGTON – On the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) eulogized Emmanuel Damas, a constituent who died in ICE custody after being denied necessary medical care.
Earlier this month, Rep. Pressley, alongside Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), wrote to the Trump Administration demanding a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Damas’ death. Mr. Damas is, at least, the tenth person to die in ICE’s custody this year.
A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks is available below, and the video is available here.
Transcript: On House Floor, Pressley Honors Emmanuel Damas, Constituent Who Died in ICE Custody
U.S. House of Representatives
March 26, 2026
Mr. Speaker,
I rise to remember Emmanuel Damas. 56 years old, a father, brother, son, valued community member, and neighbor of the Massachusetts 7th.
Like so many, Emmanuel came to this country seeking safety from the violence, the instability, and the crisis in Haiti, only to be abducted by ICE and transferred far from his family.
Now while in custody, Emmanuel pleaded for necessary medical care for a toothache—a basic human right. He was repeatedly denied medical care.
That toothache became an infection, an infection that resulted in septic shock, as infection took over Emmanuel’s body.
I can only imagine the agony he was in.
Eventually, Emmanuel fell into a coma and he died—a tragic, preventable, shameful death.
Mr. Speaker, this is not an isolated tragedy, but a pattern of cruelty and neglect that is robbing us of lives.
Emmanuel was at least the tenth person to die in ICE custody this year, and his death was entirely preventable.
So while there can never be true justice for Emmanuel—in a just world, he would still be alive and home with his family—there must be accountability.
Today, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones and community, and together, we’ll keep pushing for the accountability, transparency and the healing they deserve.
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