Haitian Asylum Seeker Dies of Hypothermia Days After ICE Release

Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, died on 2 March 2023. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled her death a homicide caused by hypothermia. She had been released from federal custody just days earlier. Michel was arrested in 2022 after yelling at imaginary people due to untreated psychiatric issues. Despite her struggles, she was granted humanitarian parole but never reached her scheduled hearing.

On 27 February 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released her. She was found at a bus shelter shortly after, wearing only summer clothes in freezing weather. Her condition worsened quickly, leading to her death.

At the time of release, Michel faced severe mental health challenges and a language barrier. Her family’s attorney now plans to sue ICE in connection with her death. The agency had previously ended its policy of reporting detainee deaths within 30 days of release in 2022. The medical examiner confirmed hypothermia as the cause of death. Her release in inappropriate clothing and lack of support contributed to the fatal outcome. The lawsuit may bring further scrutiny to ICE’s handling of vulnerable detainees.