US News
Family connects suicide of 20-year-old Haitian immigrant in Ohio to ICE monitoring
Advocates and relatives cite distress over an ankle monitor fitted following the termination of TPS protections, while ICE denies responsibility.
The short version
- Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant residing in Springfield, Ohio, died after walking into highway traffic on Monday.
- Bel's family stated his death was fueled by humiliation and despair after ICE fitted him with a GPS ankle monitor in late July following the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians.
- ICE rejected responsibility for Bel's death, noting that immigrants wearing monitors can opt to leave the country voluntarily.
- The Ohio Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Key facts
- Pierre Damas Bel died on Monday outside Springfield, Ohio, after parking his vehicle on the highway shoulder and stepping into oncoming traffic, where he was hit by a tractor-trailer.[CBS News]
- Bel's father stated that wearing an ankle monitor caused his son deep humiliation and distress around his college peers.[CBS News]
- ICE confirmed it fitted Bel with an ankle monitor on July 29 during his ongoing immigration proceedings after he initially arrived in the U.S. in 2024 via the CBP One program.[CBS News]
- ICE rejected any blame for Bel's death, stating migrants have the option to self-deport through a voluntary departure program.[CBS News]
- Bel was previously covered by Temporary Protected Status, which ended for more than 300,000 Haitians in late July following a Supreme Court ruling.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
- The Ohio Highway Patrol stated that its official investigation into the fatal highway incident remains ongoing.[CBS News]
Sources
- Family blames suicide of 20-year-old Haitian immigrant on ICE crackdownCBS News - Top Stories