Key facts
- A Chinese national, Lianyong Wei, died in ICE custody in the Northern Mariana Islands on August 23.
- Wei was arrested on criminal charges before being taken into ICE custody.
- China's Consulate General in Los Angeles has demanded a thorough investigation into Wei's death.
- Wei had overstayed his authorized two-week stay since entering the U.S. territory in February 2019.
- Wei is among at least five Chinese nationals to die in ICE or Border Patrol custody since March 2025.
- At least 57 ICE detainees have died since January 2025.
China is demanding answers from U.S. authorities following the death of a Chinese national, Lianyong Wei, 51, who died hours after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Wei was arrested on August 21 by local authorities on criminal charges related to an alleged assault. He was subsequently taken into ICE custody on August 22 pending removal proceedings. ICE reported that a guard found Wei unresponsive during routine checks on the morning of August 23. He was transported to a hospital emergency room, where he was pronounced dead after life-sustaining interventions were initiated. The agency stated that the cause of death is under investigation.
Wei had entered the U.S. territory in February 2019 with authorization for a two-week stay. U.S. authorities initiated removal proceedings in July 2026, and his next hearing was scheduled for August. The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles confirmed it had been notified of Wei's death and expressed serious concerns, calling for a timely and thorough investigation, notification of findings, preventive measures, and assistance to the family.
Wei is reportedly the fifth Chinese national to die in ICE or U.S. Border Patrol custody since March 2025. According to tracking by The Associated Press, two of the previous four deaths were ruled suicides and two were due to medical complications. At least 57 ICE detainees have died since January 2025, a rate that has raised concerns among public health experts, immigrant advocates, and the Mexican government.
It remains unclear why ICE took more than a week to acknowledge Wei's death, which was announced by Northern Mariana Islands authorities on August 24. ICE typically aims to issue a news release on detainee deaths within two business days. The Saipan lockup averages about 18 ICE detainees daily. The Northern Mariana Islands corrections commissioner stated that the department is reviewing relevant procedures and will implement corrective actions.