Pierre Damas Bel dies by suicide after ICE ankle monitor

Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old college student, died by suicide last week after telling friends he felt "shame and humiliation" from wearing an ICE ankle monitor. Bel, who was originally from Haiti, was released from immigration custody in May on bond while his asylum case was processed. He had been wearing the ankle monitor for months, a standard practice for immigrants awaiting court dates. Bel’s death has renewed scrutiny over the psychological toll of ICE’s monitoring programs, which advocates say inflict unnecessary trauma.

Bel’s case highlights the growing use of ankle monitors in immigration enforcement, a trend that expanded under the Biden administration despite promises to reduce reliance on detention. The devices are often seen as a less harsh alternative to jail, but critics argue they still cause lasting harm. Bel’s family and friends described him as a bright student who worked two jobs to support himself while studying at Miami Dade College. In private messages shared with NBC News, he wrote about the "constant anxiety" of wearing the tracker, fearing it would affect his future job prospects.

Immigration activists point to Bel’s death as evidence that electronic monitoring is not a humane solution. Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union have long argued that such programs disproportionately target Black and Latino immigrants, exacerbating mental health crises. ICE data shows over 130,000 people were monitored electronically in 2023, a number that has risen sharply in recent years.

Bel’s death follows similar cases, including that of Felipe Abrego, another immigrant who died by suicide in 2021 while under electronic monitoring. In response, immigrant rights organizations are calling for a ban on ankle monitors, pushing instead for alternatives like case management programs. Meanwhile, ICE has defended its practices, stating that monitors are used to ensure court appearances while allowing people to remain with their families. Bel’s family has not publicly commented, but his friends say they will continue advocating for policy changes in his name.