A Canadian man died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Florida, sparking urgent diplomatic questions and serious consequences.
At a Glance
- Johnny Noviello, 49, a Canadian citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident, died June 23 at a Miami federal detention center.
- ICE personnel performed CPR and used an AED, but he was pronounced dead at 1:36 p.m.
- Noviello had been detained May 15, following a 2023 racketeering and drug trafficking conviction and had begun removal proceedings.
- Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed Ottawa was “urgently seeking more information” from U.S. counterparts.
- He is the ninth person to die in ICE custody this year and the fourth in Florida.
Tragic Discovery Sparks Investigation
Johnny Noviello was found unresponsive at 12:54 p.m. on June 23, and despite immediate medical intervention—including CPR and defibrillation—he was pronounced dead by Miami Fire Rescue at 1:36 p.m. ICE has stated the cause of death remains under investigation, with the department notifying both the Office of Inspector General and Congress, and committing to post a full detainee death report within 90 days.
This follows a disturbing pattern, as Noviello is the ninth detainee to die in ICE custody this year. He had previously been convicted in 2023 for trafficking Oxycodone and hydrocodone in Volusia County, Florida, serving a 12-month sentence before being detained by ICE on May 15 for removal proceedings.
Watch a report: Canadian Citizen Dies in ICE Custody: Latest Update
Diplomatic Fallout and Policy Clash
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed officials had been notified and were seeking detailed information, offering condolences to the family and expressing grave concern over the circumstances. The incident risks exacerbating tensions between Ottawa and Washington, already strained by Trump-era immigration crackdowns.
U.S. officials have remained tight-lipped, but growing attention from Canadian authorities and human rights organizations may compel greater transparency. Canada’s request for “urgent” clarity suggests the issue could escalate into a wider diplomatic dispute, particularly if systemic negligence is uncovered.
Calls for Transparency and Reform
Civil rights advocates and legal experts are calling for independent investigations into fatalities in ICE custody. The Washington Post reports that nine people have died in ICE custody so far in 2025, with four of those deaths occurring in Florida alone—putting the agency on track to surpass last year’s total of 11.
Critics argue that the recurring deaths highlight a failure in both medical care and accountability within the ICE detention system. With international attention now focused on Noviello’s death, pressure is mounting for structural reforms in ICE oversight and operations. Whether that pressure leads to action—or more tragedy—remains to be seen.
