Haitian Woman Dies in ICE Custody at Pompano Beach Facility

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A 44-year-old Haitian woman, Marie Ange Blaise, died while in federal immigration custody at the Broward Transitional Center (BTC) in Pompano Beach on the evening of April 25, 2025. Her cause of death is currently under investigation.

Blaise, a Haitian national, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being stopped by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, on February 12. Authorities say she was attempting to travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, without valid immigration documents.

Over the course of her detention, Blaise was transferred between multiple ICE facilities, including locations in Puerto Rico and Louisiana, before arriving in Pompano Beach on April 5.

ICE reported that it notified the Haitian Consulate in Miami of her passing and said it will release a full report within 90 days, in compliance with federal transparency requirements.

The Broward Transitional Center—located in a majority-Black and Caribbean community—has faced scrutiny in the past over treatment of detainees and access to medical care. ICE maintains that detainees receive comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services, including emergency care.

As the community seeks answers, many are left grappling with questions about the conditions that led to Blaise’s death—and whether her passing could have been prevented.