DHS says death of Haitian immigrant Pierre Damas Bel under investigation, disputes blame

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Friends of 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel and advocates gathered outside Columbus City Hall Wednesday evening to remember the Haitian immigrant and call for change.

“We love Pierre, and we lost a beautiful soul, and I wish that everybody that has such negative things to say could have known him,” said Neisha Davis, Damas Bel’s coworker.

Damas Bel worked at a restaurant in Springfield, and his coworkers said they traveled to Columbus to tell his story at the vigil.

“I’m here just to clear the name of my friend, my coworker that I worked beside for two years that was not a criminal, but was a brother, a son, a friend, and a member of this community, whether we think of that or not,” Davis said.

Damas Bel’s father said his son took his own life on Monday by intentionally walking in front of a truck on I-70 in Clark County.

About three hours before his death, his father said his son called him and expressed struggles from bullying related to his ankle monitor from ICE.

“I can only imagine if someone didn’t reduce him to a cat- and dog-eater, but saw him as an opportunity for the contribution of our country and helped him to go further in classes,” said Yola Lamarre, Damas Bel’s close friend.

Damas Bel entered the U.S. in 2024 from Haiti. In his own words on social media, he came to America to pursue an education. He also shared online that he felt shame and humiliation when he started wearing the ankle monitor in July.

Damas Bel was a first year honors student at Wright State University.

“The idea that these people and their stories and their sacrifices to come to a land of opportunity, to be reduced to illegals when half of these people don’t even know what it took for them to put their toe in the United States,” Lamarre said.

Damas Bel’s friends and advocates at the vigil said they want the ankle monitor program to end, and they are calling on others to vote in November.

“We’re not going to be complicit,” said Lamarre. “We’re not gonna be passive. We’re are not going to be silent. This is not okay. We’re not tolerating this in Columbus.”

In response to his death, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson sent the following statement:

ICE can confirm that Ohio State Highway Patrol notified the agency on August 31 regarding the death of Pierre Damas Bel, a non-detained illegal alien from Haiti. The circumstances of his death remain under investigation by OSHP. 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.

On March 5, 2024, Bel applied for admission into the United States at the Gateway Port of Entry via CBP One appointment, and he was released into the country by the Biden administration. On July 29, 2026, ICE placed him on alternatives to detention program with an ankle monitor while he continued in his immigration proceedings.

No one is required to stay in the United States illegally and wear a monitor. Illegal aliens have a lawful, voluntary option: they can self-deport through the CBP Home app. Eligible participants receive a government-arranged flight home, a $2,600 exit bonus after departure is confirmed, and forgiveness of civil failure-to-depart fines.

Remaining in the country illegally, while fighting removal, is a choice. Leaving with a free flight home and $2,600 is also a choice. ICE will continue to use detention or alternatives to detention as needed those illegal aliens who stay in violation of the law.

An ICE spokesperson said, “any attempts to blame ICE for the death of Pierre Damas Bel are false.”

“Pierre, I know you’re watching us,” said Lamarre. “Bradley, Lucas, those are his little brothers, we love you.”