Family of NJ migrant who died in federal custody seeks answers

Jean Wilson Brutus, 41, died in custody in December, one day after being arrested by immigration agents. His family says they still don’t know how.

By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: February 9, 2026

Words: 1,307

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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On Sunday evenings after church, the Belony family gathers around the white dining room table in their Irvington home for a weekly family dinner.

Until recently, the loud and joyous ritual included their cousin, Jean Wilson Brutus, who shared stories of his journey from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, through Brazil and Mexico before reaching New Jersey. Brutus would joke about how the green-brown water off the coast of the Jersey Shore compared to the clear …

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