China has pressed U.S. authorities after a 51-year-old Chinese man died in ICE custody in Saipan.
Why it matters: The case could intensify scrutiny of ICE medical screening, detention notifications, and how custody works in U.S. territories. It also tests how quickly U.S. authorities disclose deaths and notify foreign governments and families.
- Lianyong Wei, 51, died Aug. 23 at a hospital in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands after being taken into ICE custody the day before.
- Wei was arrested Aug. 21 by Northern Mariana Islands public safety officers on charges tied to an alleged assault on a family of five.
- The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles said it raised the case with U.S. authorities and asked for a thorough investigation and help for Wei's family.
- AP reported Wei is at least the fifth Chinese national to die in ICE or U.S. Border Patrol custody since March 2025.
Lianyong Wei, a Chinese national, died Aug. 23 at a hospital in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands after being transferred into ICE custody the previous day. AP reported that Wei, 51, had been arrested Aug. 21 by Northern Mariana Islands public safety officers on charges tied to an alleged assault on a family of five.
ICE said a guard found Wei unresponsive during routine morning checks at the Saipan lockup. He was taken to an emergency room and pronounced dead. The cause of death remains under investigation, according to ICE's account and AP's report.
The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles said it had raised the case with U.S. authorities and wanted a timely investigation, notification of findings, steps to prevent a repeat, and help for Wei's family. AP reported that Beijing had been notified of the death.
The Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Safety said it is reviewing its procedures and will make corrective changes if needed. AP also reported that Wei is at least the fifth Chinese national to die in ICE or U.S. Border Patrol custody since March 2025, and at least 57 ICE detainees have died since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
ICE says it aims to issue detainee-death news releases within two business days. AP reported that the agency did not immediately explain the gap between Wei's death and its public acknowledgement, and had not said whether he received the medical intake screening ICE says should happen within the first 12 hours of custody.
By the numbers
- 51 - Wei's age at the time of death.
- 5 - AP's reported minimum number of Chinese nationals who have died in ICE or Border Patrol custody since March 2025.
- 57 - AP's reported number of ICE detainee deaths since January 2025.
Yes, but: The cause of death is still under investigation, and officials have not said whether Wei received the intake medical screening ICE says should occur within 12 hours of custody.
What's next: ICE's death investigation and any findings from Northern Mariana Islands authorities, plus further diplomatic follow-up from the Chinese consulate.