Dhs disputes claims in death of haitian asylum seeker found in pittsburgh

The Department of Homeland Security said ICE was not responsible for the death of a Haitian asylum seeker whose death was recently ruled a homicide by a medical examiner.

The Department of Homeland Security is pushing back against reports surrounding the death of Daphy Michel, a Haitian national who was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody before being found dead in Pittsburgh.

In a statement posted Tuesday, DHS said Michel died three days after an encounter with ICE and emphasized that the agency “had NOTHING to do with this woman’s death.” The response came after reports citing a medical examiner’s ruling that Michel’s death was a homicide after she contracted hypothermia following her release from federal custody.

ICE details timeline after release

According to DHS, Michel had been arrested by local authorities on charges of terroristic threats and harassment before being encountered by ICE and placed into removal proceedings.

The agency said Michel was released from ICE custody on Feb. 27 with an ankle monitor, her personal belongings, and a fully charged cellphone. DHS stated she was released “in sunny weather in the middle of Pittsburgh, where public transport is readily available.”

DHS said ICE later received an alert on March 3 indicating the ankle monitor had been tampered with.

Agency says it learned of death through media reports

Federal officials said ICE officers traveled to the last GPS location associated with the monitor, which led them to a county medical office. According to DHS, local staff declined to provide information to ICE personnel.

“Our officers instead had to call the U.S. Marshal’s service, who were let into the building and were given the severed ankle monitor,” DHS said. The department further alleged that staff “refused to even tell the U.S. Marshals about the individual’s condition.”

DHS said ICE was never officially notified of Michel’s death and instead learned of it through media coverage.

The agency’s statement follows reporting by NBC News that a medical examiner ruled Michel’s death a homicide after she developed hypothermia following her release from federal custody. Additional details surrounding the circumstances of her death have not yet been publicly released.

Questions remain as case draws attention

The case has drawn national attention amid ongoing debate over immigration enforcement policies and the treatment of migrants in federal custody.

Authorities have not announced any criminal charges related to Michel’s death, and the circumstances surrounding the homicide ruling remain under investigation.

Key Points

• DHS said ICE was not responsible for the death of Haitian asylum seeker Daphy Michel.
• ICE said Michel was released on Feb. 27 and died three days later after leaving federal custody.
• The agency said it learned of her death through media reports after local officials declined to provide information.

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