PHILIPSBURG, Penn. — Fouad Saeed Abdulkadir, a 46-year-old illegal alien from Eritrea, died in ICE custody Dec. 14 at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg. He was pronounced deceased at approximately 3:21 a.m. after experiencing medical distress. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Abdulkadir had been in ICE custody for 215 days and was pending a hearing before the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.

According to initial reports, Abdulkadir complained of chest pain while housed in the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. Facility medical staff responded, transported him to the medical department, began cardiopulmonary resuscitation and contacted local emergency medical services. EMS personnel arrived at the facility, continued medical care and subsequently pronounced him deceased.

The Pennsylvania State Police and the Clearfield County coroner responded to the facility and are investigating the death.

Abdulkadir was born March 15, 1979, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is a citizen of Eritrea. On April 30, 2018, he adjusted his status in the United States to that of a lawful permanent resident. Records indicate that he has no claim to U.S. citizenship.

On April 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio convicted Abdulkadir of wire fraud in violation of Title 18 USC § 1343 and theft of public money in violation of Title 18 USC § 641, with a total loss exceeding $10,000. The court sentenced him to 21 months of imprisonment.

On July 23, 2024, Enforcement and Removal Operations Williamsport officers encountered Abdulkadir pursuant to the Criminal Alien Program while he was incarcerated at the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Low Security Correctional Institution Allenwood in White Deer. ERO determined he was amenable to removal under Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and issued an immigration detainer and a warrant of arrest. Upon Abdulkadir’s release, ERO Williamsport assumed custody and immediately transferred him to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center.

Consistent with ICE policy, ERO notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the DHS Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility via the Integrity Coordination Center. ERO will coordinate appropriate consular notifications in accordance with international and domestic laws and will make efforts to notify Abdulkadir’s next of kin or other designated contact.

ICE makes official notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organization stakeholders and the media upon an official report of an in-custody alien death, and posts a news release with relevant details on ICE’s public website. You may access this information in the ICE.gov Newsroom. Additionally, congressional requirements described in the DHS Appropriations Act of 2018 requires ICE to make all reports public regarding an in-custody death within 90 days.

You may access these reports on the Detainee Death Reporting page.

ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay. All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained alien denied emergency care.