Fiancee Seeks Answers After ICE Detainee Is Hospitalized in New Jersey Without Famil Access
A New Jersey woman says she has been unable to visit or receive updates about her fiancé after learning that he was admitted to a hospital while being held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Zena Carter, a Newark resident, says she only discovered that her fiancé, Alimamy Sesay, was hospitalized after making calls herself during the Independence Day holiday. According to Carter, she had planned to visit Sesay at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Center on July 4 but became concerned when staff discouraged her from coming without explaining the reason.
Believing something was wrong, Carter contacted University Hospital in Newark, where she says a hospital representative confirmed that Sesay had been admitted as a patient. However, she says she was not given any information about his medical condition and was told she could not visit him because the matter had to be handled through ICE.
Carter says the experience has left her and her family feeling helpless.
She said she has no information about what illness brought Sesay to the hospital, how serious his condition is, or what treatment he is receiving. According to Carter, the hospital only confirmed that he had been admitted and did not provide any additional details.
The uncertainty has been especially difficult for the family, including the couple’s 4-month-old son. Carter said it has been emotionally painful to be so close to her fiancé while being unable to see him or even learn whether his condition is stable.
Before his hospitalization, Carter said she last spoke with Sesay on June 28. During that conversation, he reportedly complained of severe pain and other symptoms that led her to believe he could be experiencing an intestinal medical problem.
University Hospital did not confirm whether Sesay is currently receiving treatment there. In a statement, the hospital said it cannot comment on protected health information or confirm details about individual patients because of privacy requirements.
Sesay has been in ICE custody since late May after being taken to the Elizabeth Contract Detention Center in Union County. The detention center is operated by CoreCivic under a contract with ICE.
Requests for comment from ICE and CoreCivic regarding Carter’s concerns and Sesay’s hospitalization were not answered, according to the information available.
Immigrant rights advocates say situations like this have become a growing concern for families whose loved ones are transferred from detention facilities to hospitals. They argue that relatives are often left without clear information about where detainees are being treated or what their medical condition may be.
Advocates say the lack of communication creates significant emotional stress for families who are already coping with the uncertainty of immigration detention. They believe relatives should receive timely updates when a detainee experiences a medical emergency requiring hospitalization.
The issue has also drawn criticism from healthcare and community advocates in New Jersey. Some argue that restricting communication between hospitalized detainees and their families raises concerns about compassionate patient care.
Dr. Katherine Azaro, who chairs the healthcare committee of the South Orange Maplewood Action group, said the situation does not reflect the compassionate approach that many believe healthcare institutions should provide. She has called on University Hospital’s leadership to consider the needs of immigrant patients, including those held in detention.
The concerns come as New Jersey officials have publicly challenged aspects of the federal government’s immigration enforcement policies. Governor Mikie Sherrill has previously supported measures intended to limit cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities in certain situations. However, no public response was provided regarding Carter’s concerns about hospital access.
Carter said Sesay legally entered the United States from Sierra Leone with his family when he was 12 years old and later became a lawful permanent resident. The couple met in 2023, built a life together, and welcomed their son in March. According to Carter, they had been planning to marry and purchase a home before Sesay’s detention.
She believes ICE detained Sesay because of marijuana-related criminal charges dating back to 2016, for which he previously served jail time.
Carter has also arranged legal representation for Sesay through the Newark office of the American Friends Service Committee as he challenges his immigration case. In addition, she has filed a complaint on his behalf alleging that he experienced physical and verbal sexual abuse by a male nurse during a previous medical visit connected to a shoulder injury while in detention. ICE and CoreCivic did not respond to requests for comment regarding those allegations.
For Carter, the immediate concern remains gaining access to her fiancé and receiving basic information about his health. She says families should not have to search for answers when a loved one is hospitalized, especially during what may be a serious medical emergency.
She believes that timely communication with family members is essential and says relatives deserve to know whether a hospitalized loved one is safe and receiving appropriate care, regardless of immigration status.
Sources
- S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
- Office of the Governor of New Jersey
- American Friends Service CommitteeCoreCivic
