An Ohio college student died in an apparent suicide. His family says he felt ‘humiliated’ by his ICE ankle monitor
Ohio Student's Death Tied to ICE Ankle Monitor
Qwenews.com – An Ohio college student died in what his family calls a suicide brought on by the shame of wearing a government ankle monitor. Pierre Damas Bel, 20, had just started his freshman year at Wright State University in Springfield when the electronic device placed on him by Immigration and Customs Enforcement became, in his family's account, the focal point of bullying and despair that ended his life within weeks.
The Final Weeks at Wright State
Bel arrived at Wright State carrying clear goals: a neuroscience major, continued involvement in soccer, and a new ROTC uniform. Friends and relatives describe a young man who had spent his high school years in Springfield as a committed athlete and a disciplined member of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Within a short span after classes began, however, the mood around him changed.
The ankle monitor, installed by ICE in late July, blocked his participation in soccer, interfered with fitting for his ROTC gear, and drew ridicule from classmates who could not understand why a fellow student wore a metal band on his ankle. His father, Pierre Ronal Bel, recalls a Friday phone call in which his son explained that a classmate had mocked him for missing the uniform distribution.
"He told me, 'Dad, I felt humiliated … Everyone got uniforms, except for me, because of the bracelet,'" Ronal Bel said.
By Monday, the distress had deepened. Bel called his father on video, visibly shaken, and said he was not thinking clearly because of the bullies. His father urged him to come home to talk. Shortly after that conversation, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that Bel stepped out of his Toyota Avalon onto the shoulder of Interstate 70 and walked into westbound traffic. The agency says its investigation remains open, though police told the family he had taken his own life.
"Police showed up at my door," Ronal Bel said, "to report that my son had thrown himself under a truck."
Broader Context: TPS Termination and Electronic Monitoring
Bel's death lands amid a wider shift in federal immigration enforcement. Following the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, hundreds of thousands of residents across the country lost work authorization and deportation protection. ICE has responded by issuing electronic tracking devices to people whose cases remain pending. In Ohio, a growing number of Haitian residents have been fitted with such monitors, and immigrant-rights groups argue the devices impose psychological costs far beyond simple compliance — marking wearers as outsiders in classrooms, locker rooms, and dining halls.
Pastor Carl Ruby of the Central Christian Church in Springfield addressed a Tuesday news conference, framing the tragedy as a direct product of federal policy.
"Pierre died as a result of policy. And it's our immigration policy that took his life," Ruby said, urging Republican lawmakers to "put an end to the shackling program before other people end up taking their lives."
ICE confirmed that Bel applied for admission at Brownsville, Texas, in March 2024 and was released into the country under the prior administration. The agency issued the monitor on July 29 while his proceedings continued. Asked about the suicide reports, an ICE spokesperson said in writing: "ICE does not comment on the cause of death while that investigation is pending, and we will not speculate about unverified claims regarding other individuals."
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Pierre Damas Bel? Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant and first-year student at Wright State University, died after walking into traffic on Interstate 70 near Springfield, Ohio. His family attributes his suicide to humiliation and bullying connected with an ICE ankle monitor he was required to wear.
Why was he wearing an ankle monitor? ICE placed the electronic tracking device on Bel on July 29 while his immigration case remained pending. The monitor was issued after the administration terminated Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, leaving many in a legal gray area where electronic supervision is used as a condition of continued presence in the country.
What is the investigation status? The Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed its investigation into the circumstances of the death is still open. ICE stated it would not comment on cause of death while that investigation proceeds.
What are advocates calling for? Immigrant-rights groups and local clergy are urging federal authorities to halt the use of electronic tracking devices on individuals navigating immigration proceedings, arguing the social stigma and psychological burden they create can be fatal for young people already adjusting to a new country.