HEART ATTACK KILLS YOUNG MAN DEPORTED IN ERROR

A serious and negligent mistake by the INS led to a horrible tragedy, according to a lawyer suing the INS on behalf of the family of a twenty-year old Haitian-born US citizen who died of a heart attack after being mistakenly deported.

After serving a short sentence in the Miami-Dade County Jail for a drug offence, Thomas Sylvain was placed in deportation proceedings. Sylvain claimed to be an American, but INS officials contended that documents showing him to be a US citizen were forged. Sylvain was then deported.

Sylvain discovered he had AIDS after he was deported to Haiti. Unable to get adequate health care, Sylvain’s condition rapidly deteriorated.

After the MIAMI HERALD newspaper ran a story questioning the INS’ judgment in the case, politicians and immigration advocates were able to prompt the INS to investigate further. The INS discovered that Sylvain was, in fact a citizen and brought him back to Florida in May.

But Sylvain was too weak and had to be hospitalized immediately upon his return. On the way to the hospital, he suffered a heart attack. His condition deteriorated and he had to be placed on life support systems. He died just two months later.

Two organizations, the Florida Justice Institute and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy center are preparing to sue the INS. JoNel Newman, a lawyer for the Florida Justice Institute, complains that the INS is now withholding documents regarding Sylvain’s case.

The INS has refused to comment on charges that the agency contributed to or actually directly caused Sylvain’s death.

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