The tragic death of Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian asylum seeker, has been ruled a homicide by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office in Pennsylvania. The ruling, which does not imply criminal guilt, suggests that Ms Michel's demise was caused by the actions of another individual. This development comes as her family prepares to file a lawsuit against US immigration authorities, alleging that their inactions contributed to her hypothermia-induced death.
Mary Michel arrived in the US two years ago seeking asylum after fleeing Haiti. She had been granted humanitarian parole but tragically died just two weeks before her scheduled asylum hearing. According to her family's attorney, Joseph Patrick Murphy, Ms Michel was a vulnerable adult with untreated severe mental health issues and a significant language barrier at the time of her release by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 27 February.
Murphy highlighted that Ms Michel had previously been arrested last summer due to psychiatric challenges, leading to a six-month detention in Washington County jail where she underwent multiple psychiatric examinations. After a magistrate determined she could not be held for trial, ICE reportedly arrested her in her cell, fitted her with an ankle monitor, and transported her approximately 25 miles to Pittsburgh, where she was left at a bus shelter without adequate winter clothing.
The family's attorney expects to file a lawsuit against ICE, arguing that the agency's actions or inactions contributed to her demise. However, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, Lauren Bis, maintains that 'ICE had NOTHING to do with this woman's death', stating Ms Michel passed away three days after her encounter with ICE. Bis noted that Ms Michel was released with all her belongings, a fully charged phone, and access to public transportation.
The incident has drawn criticism from US officials and advocates. Sara Innamorato, the Allegheny County Executive, described Ms Michel's death as 'a tragedy that could have been completely avoidable', while Democratic US House member Summer Lee of Pennsylvania highlighted that her death was preventable and that she deserved care, shelter, language access, and medical support.
This case also raises concerns about a recent policy change by ICE, which no longer reports the deaths of detainees within 30 days of their release from custody. Health experts warn that this move could obscure the true number of deaths without addressing underlying issues in medical care for vulnerable detainees like Ms Michel.