Indian national, 57, awaiting deportation dies in US hospital

NEW DELHI: An Indian national, who was awaiting deportation due to his 'illegal entry' into the United States, tragically passed away at a hospital in Atlanta, as confirmed by federal authorities on Wednesday. The Indian Consulate in New York has been informed about the demise of Jaspal Singh, 57, said US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), emphasizing that his next of kin have also been informed. Singh tragically passed away at a hospital in Atlanta on April 15. According to ICE, an autopsy is pending to ascertain the official cause of death.

Singh, identified as an Indian citizen, initially entered the US legally on October 25, 1992. Subsequently, on January 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered Singh's removal from the US, following which, at an unspecified time, Singh returned to India voluntarily.

On June 29, 2023, he was arrested by US Customs and Border Protection's Border Patrol officers for illegally reentering the United States at the US-Mexico Border.

Border Patrol transferred custody of Singh to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Atlanta. Subsequently, he was detained at a federal processing centre in Atlanta, where he continued his immigration proceedings.

In the event of a non-citizen's demise at a detention centre, it is obligatory for the ERO to make notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organisation stakeholders, and the media, and 'post a news release' with relevant details on its public website within two business days.