Family to sue U.S. government over Haitian immigrant’s death after ICE release

Daphy Michel, a 31-year-old Haitian immigrant, spent six months in county jail after a mental-health crisis, then was taken into ICE custody and released on February 27 with an ankle monitor, directed toward her community of Charleroi near Pittsburgh. She was discovered dead at a south-side bus shelter three days later, wearing summer clothing in 20-degree Fahrenheit weather; the Allegheny County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by another’s actions.

Attorney Joseph Murphy announced the family will file a lawsuit against the United States and multiple governmental and non-governmental defendants within the next few weeks. Surveillance footage shows Michel remained at the shelter for about 24 hours before collapsing. DHS issued a brief statement distancing itself from the death, and Pittsburgh detectives are now investigating. The case mirrors a recent incident in Buffalo where a vulnerable immigrant also died after being left alone by border officials.