The Chinese government has demanded a thorough investigation into the death of a Chinese national who died after being taken into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Lianyong Wei, 51, died on August 23 at a hospital in the U.S. territory, according to ICE. His death has prompted serious concerns from Chinese authorities, who are seeking answers over the circumstances surrounding his detention and death.

Wei was arrested on August 21 by the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Safety on criminal charges related to an alleged assault involving a family of five. He was transferred to ICE custody the following day while awaiting removal proceedings.

According to ICE, a guard at the detention facility in Saipan found Wei unresponsive during routine morning checks on August 23. He was transported to a hospital emergency room, where he was pronounced dead after life-saving interventions were attempted. The agency said the cause of death remains under investigation.

Wei had entered the U.S. territory in February 2019 and was initially authorized to remain for two weeks, according to ICE. U.S. authorities initiated removal proceedings against him in July 2026, with his next immigration hearing scheduled for September.

The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles said it had been notified of Wei’s death and expressed serious concerns to U.S. authorities.

Beijing called for a timely and comprehensive investigation into the cause of death, notification of the findings, measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, and assistance to Wei’s family in dealing with the aftermath.

Wei’s death is reportedly at least the fifth case involving a Chinese national who has died in the custody of ICE or the U.S. Border Patrol since March 2025, according to Associated Press tracking. Two of the previous four deaths were ruled suicides, while the other two were attributed to medical complications.

The case also comes amid growing scrutiny of conditions in U.S. immigration detention facilities. At least 57 ICE detainees have died since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, a figure that has raised concerns among public health experts, immigrant-rights advocates and the Mexican government.

Questions have also emerged over whether Wei received the medical intake screening that ICE says detainees should receive within their first 12 hours in custody. Medical experts have emphasized that comprehensive health screenings can be crucial in identifying potentially life-threatening conditions and preventing deaths in detention.

Another issue under scrutiny is the timing of ICE’s public announcement. Authorities in the Northern Mariana Islands announced Wei’s death on August 24, but ICE did not issue its own statement until more than a week later. The agency has previously said it aims to release information about detainee deaths within two business days.

The detention facility in Saipan has held an average of about 18 ICE detainees per day this year, according to ICE data. The Northern Mariana Islands has a population of roughly 50,000.

Anthony Torres, commissioner of corrections for the Northern Mariana Islands, said authorities are reviewing procedures following Wei’s death and will introduce corrective measures if necessary to strengthen prevention and emergency response efforts.

The incident has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability surrounding deaths in U.S. immigration detention, while Wei’s family and Chinese authorities await answers about what happened during his brief period in custody. (ILKHA)