Choung Won Ahn
Choung Woong Ahn, 74, died on May 17, 2020, while held in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Facility in California. He had diabetes, hypertension and heart-related problems, and had been held there since February 21, 2020. In March, his attorneys asked for the release of people with serious health conditions because of COVID-19, and he was not released. News reports citing ICE said he died by suicide, and the ACLU said ICE and the administration were responsible for his death. His brother, Young Ahn, said the family was upset and that he 'did not deserve to be treated this way.'
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). ICE reported that he died by suicide, while the ACLU says ICE was responsible for his death after it did not release him despite his serious health conditions during COVID-19.
Reported by: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (the agency that held him); ACLU (advocates).