BREAKING: Eritrean being deported by USA commits suicide rather than return to homeland

2018-06-09 06:19:33 Written by  Martin Plaut Published in English Articles Read 2781 times
June 8, 2018 Martin Plaut News

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued this information.

Organisations working with Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers have been concerned for some time that this might happen if the US authorities begin the enforced return of refugees.
John Stauffer, President of The America Team for Displaced Eritreans, said: “For all of the tragedy in the episode, it demonstrates that Eritreans who are denied asylum often fear a fate worse than death if forced to return to Eritrea. This man may have felt that.”
 
Source: Press Release
Enforcement and Removal
06/08/2018
 
ICE detainee passes away in transit to home country
 
CAIRO – An Eritrean national in transit to his home country passed away Wednesday at a detention holding area in the Cairo International Airport, after an apparent suicide.
Zeresenay Ermias Testfatsion, 34, was being held by Egyptian authorities as he awaited removal to Asmara, Eritrea. Egyptian authorities later notified ICE that they found him deceased in a shower area. Egyptian officials later transported the remains to Heliopolis Hospital.

Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility were notified of the incident.

Additionally, Egyptian authorities will advise the Embassy of Eritrea of Testfatsion’s death and take responsibility for transporting the remains to Asmara, Eritrea.

Testfatsion had been in ICE custody since Feb. 2, 2017, following his arrest at the Hidalgo, Texas Port of Entry after he attempted to unlawfully enter the United States.

In October 2017, a federal immigration judge ordered Testfatsion removed from the U.S. He had remained in ICE custody while the agency finalized removal arrangements.
 
Last modified on Saturday, 09 June 2018 08:25