Hiu Lui Ng
Encyclopedia
Hiu Lui Ng a.k.a Jason Ng was a 34 year old New Yorker who died on August 5 or 6, 2008 in the custody of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The editors of The New York Times
condemned the death, writing that Mr. Ng "paid the ultimate price for overstaying a visa
, and getting lost in a sprawling system that some have likened to the gulag
."
Ng came to New York
from Hong Kong
in 1992 at age 17. He went to college, became a computer engineer, married a United States citizen, and fathered two American born sons. He entered the United States legally but had long overstayed his visa. The government rejected his pleas for political asylum. He missed a court date in 2001 when the order was sent to a nonexistent address, and the judge ordered him deported when he did not show up at the hearing. His wife, a naturalized citizen, had petitioned to get him legal residency, but he was seized at his final green card
interview on July 19, 2007 on the old deportation
order.
While in immigration detention
, Ng grew frail and complained for months of excruciating back pain
. Officials at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility
in Rhode Island
said it was all an act and denied him an independent medical evaluation. Lawyers finally persuaded a judge to insist on suitable medical treatment for Ng by petitioning for habeas corpus
. When he finally saw a doctor, the diagnosis was terminal cancer
and a broken spine
. He died five days later. The State Medical Examiners office later declared that he died due to complications of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma
- liver cancer. His lawyers demanded a criminal investigation in a letter to federal and state prosecutors in Rhode Island, Connecticut
, Massachusetts
and Vermont
, and the Department of Homeland Security. An inquiry determined that when Ng told them he was too weak to proceed from his cell under his own power, guards would drag him along the floor.
Prompted by the death, Congressman José Enrique Serrano wrote in an August 13, 2008 letter to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement: "there is a certain standard we should live up to for everyone we have detained and it is outrageous that anyone would be treated in such a fashion while in your custody." Members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation requested a Homeland Security investigation into the death.
In response to the case of Ng and a Washington Post article that identified 30 questionable deaths out of a total of 83 detainee deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency custody between March 2003 (when the agency was created) and March 2008, Representative Zoe Lofgren
(D
-CA
) introduced the Detainee Basic Medical Bill (HR. 5950) in the House and Senator Robert Menendez
(D
-NJ
) introduced the bill (S. 3005) in the Senate. The bill requires "the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for the timely and effective delivery of medical and mental health care to all immigration detainees in custody, and for other purposes." The bills did not survive past committee.
The editors of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
condemned the death, writing that Mr. Ng "paid the ultimate price for overstaying a visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
, and getting lost in a sprawling system that some have likened to the gulag
Gulag
The Gulag was the government agency that administered the main Soviet forced labor camp systems. While the camps housed a wide range of convicts, from petty criminals to political prisoners, large numbers were convicted by simplified procedures, such as NKVD troikas and other instruments of...
."
Ng came to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1992 at age 17. He went to college, became a computer engineer, married a United States citizen, and fathered two American born sons. He entered the United States legally but had long overstayed his visa. The government rejected his pleas for political asylum. He missed a court date in 2001 when the order was sent to a nonexistent address, and the judge ordered him deported when he did not show up at the hearing. His wife, a naturalized citizen, had petitioned to get him legal residency, but he was seized at his final green card
United States Permanent Resident Card
United States lawful permanent residency refers to a person's immigration status: the person is authorized to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis....
interview on July 19, 2007 on the old deportation
Deportation
Deportation means the expulsion of a person or group of people from a place or country. Today it often refers to the expulsion of foreign nationals whereas the expulsion of nationals is called banishment, exile, or penal transportation...
order.
While in immigration detention
Immigration detention
Immigration detention is the policy of holding individuals suspected of visa violations, illegal entry or unauthorised arrival, and those subject to deportation and removal in detention until a decision is made by immigration authorities to grant a visa and release them into the community, or to...
, Ng grew frail and complained for months of excruciating back pain
Back pain
Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain...
. Officials at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility
Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility
The Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility is a private-enterprise prison in Rhode Island.It is operated by the Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation.The facility stirred controversy in April 2009 following the death of a prisoner,...
in Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
said it was all an act and denied him an independent medical evaluation. Lawyers finally persuaded a judge to insist on suitable medical treatment for Ng by petitioning for habeas corpus
Habeas corpus
is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...
. When he finally saw a doctor, the diagnosis was terminal cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and a broken spine
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
. He died five days later. The State Medical Examiners office later declared that he died due to complications of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...
- liver cancer. His lawyers demanded a criminal investigation in a letter to federal and state prosecutors in Rhode Island, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, and the Department of Homeland Security. An inquiry determined that when Ng told them he was too weak to proceed from his cell under his own power, guards would drag him along the floor.
Prompted by the death, Congressman José Enrique Serrano wrote in an August 13, 2008 letter to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement: "there is a certain standard we should live up to for everyone we have detained and it is outrageous that anyone would be treated in such a fashion while in your custody." Members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation requested a Homeland Security investigation into the death.
In response to the case of Ng and a Washington Post article that identified 30 questionable deaths out of a total of 83 detainee deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency custody between March 2003 (when the agency was created) and March 2008, Representative Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Lofgren
Zoe Lofgren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1995. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in San Jose.-Early life, education, and early career:...
(D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
-CA
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) introduced the Detainee Basic Medical Bill (HR. 5950) in the House and Senator Robert Menendez
Robert Menendez
Robert "Bob" Menendez is the junior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. In January 2006, he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jon Corzine, who resigned upon being elected Governor of New Jersey. Menendez was elected to his own full...
(D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
-NJ
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
) introduced the bill (S. 3005) in the Senate. The bill requires "the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish procedures for the timely and effective delivery of medical and mental health care to all immigration detainees in custody, and for other purposes." The bills did not survive past committee.