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Canadian man dies in ICE custody in Florida, officials seek more information

Kalé Carey (Reporter)
A Canadian man died in ICE custody, prompting Canada to seek details. Johnny Noviello died June 23 at a Florida facility, officials said.
Image credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File
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Summary

Man dies in ICE custody

Johnny Noviello died June 23 at a Florida ICE detention center while awaiting deportation following a 2023 conviction.

Canada wants answers

Canadian officials are urgently seeking more information about Noviello’s death, which is currently under investigation.

Detainees receive medical care

ICE says it follows strict medical and safety protocols for those in custody.

Full story

A Canadian citizen died in U.S. immigration custody while awaiting deportation, prompting Canadian officials to request more details from the American government. Johnny Noviello, 49, died on June 23 at an ICE detention facility in Florida, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Medical staff responded immediately and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillator shock and called 911,” an ICE press release said. 

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Canadian officials seek answers

Canadian consular officials were notified of Noviello’s death on June 26, according to a statement posted by Anita Anand, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs. Anand said officials are urgently seeking more information from U.S. authorities and offered her “sincere condolences to the family.”

ICE said Noviello had been a permanent resident since 1991 but became subject to removal after a 2023 conviction on federal charges, including racketeering and trafficking controlled substances. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

In 2025, ICE took Noviello into custody at a Florida probation office and issued a removal order based on violations of both federal and state law.

Federal requirements on reporting deaths

ICE says it’s committed to keeping people in its custody safe and treated humanely. The agency says detainees receive medical, dental and mental health screenings within 12 hours of arrival, a full health exam within two weeks and access to regular and emergency care throughout their stay.

A 2018 congressional measure requires ICE to publicly release reports on in-custody deaths within 90 days. As of May 5, ICE reported seven deaths in 2025, amid a rise in immigration enforcement. In 2024, immigration officials reported 12. One recent case involved a man who became unresponsive while being transported to a facility and died despite life-saving efforts.

Noviello’s death is currently under investigation by officials, who will determine the cause of death.

Matt Bishop (Digital Producer) and Alex Delia (Deputy Managing Editor) contributed to this report.
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Why this story matters

The death of a Canadian citizen in U.S. immigration custody raises questions about the treatment of detainees and prompts calls for transparency and accountability from officials.

Detainee welfare

The story highlights concerns about the safety, medical care and humane treatment of individuals held in U.S. immigration facilities.

Accountability and transparency

Canadian officials' demands for more information and the U.S. requirement to publicly report in-custody deaths underscore the importance of oversight and public disclosure following incidents involving detainee fatalities.

International response

The involvement of Canadian diplomats and public statements from government officials reflect cross-border diplomatic engagement and the expectation that such incidents be addressed transparently between nations.

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Synthesized coverage insights across 182 media outlets

Debunking

There is no indication in the reporting that ICE denied medical care to Noviello; ICE claims that staff responded immediately with CPR and defibrillator use when he was found unresponsive. However, questions remain from advocates and his family about prescription medication access, especially regarding his reported history of epilepsy, as per his lawyer and public court documents.

Global impact

This event has drawn diplomatic attention from the Canadian government, reflecting cross-border concern regarding the treatment of foreign nationals in U.S. detention. Canada has urged the U.S. for transparency and information, highlighting the importance of international protections for nationals in foreign custody and prompting discussions on the broader implications for bilateral relations and human rights standards.

Oppo research

Opponents of current enforcement practices, including members of Congress and advocacy groups, frequently argue that detention conditions and health care in ICE facilities are inadequate and can contribute to preventable deaths. According to Democratic lawmakers and rights organizations quoted in several reports, there are calls for independent investigations and legislative oversight to hold ICE accountable.

Sources

  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  2. U.S. Congress
  3. Anita Anand via X

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left frame the death of Johnny Noviello in ICE custody as a harrowing indictment of the Trump administration’s “harsh” immigration policies and detention conditions, employing emotionally charged language like “sweeping arrests” to evoke systemic neglect and cruelty.
  • Media outlets on the left agree on the factual circumstances — age, conviction and investigation underway — revealing how ideological and cultural divides shape interpretation of the same facts through contrasting rhetorical emphasis and selective omission.
  • Media outlets on the right emphasize law enforcement’s necessity and legitimacy, focusing on Noviello’s status as a “convicted criminal” and portraying ICE’s actions as justified public safety measures, using more neutral or procedural terms such as “held by immigration officials.” The pivotal dividing line lies in framing the death either as a symptom of policy failure or an unfortunate but lawful enforcement outcome.

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Media landscape

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182 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • A Canadian citizen, Johnny Noviello, died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody while awaiting removal from the United States, according to ICE's statement.
  • Noviello was found unresponsive at the Federal Detention Center in Miami and was pronounced dead the same day, according to ICE.
  • He had been a lawful permanent resident since 1991 and was arrested by ICE in May due to a drug trafficking conviction from 2023.

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Key points from the Center

  • Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Miami on Monday, according to ICE.
  • Medical staff responded to Noviello's condition and attempted CPR before he was pronounced dead by the Miami Fire Rescue Department at 1:36 p.m., according to ICE.
  • Noviello had been a lawful permanent resident since 1991 and was facing removal proceedings after being convicted of drug charges in 2023.

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Key points from the Right

  • A Canadian man, Johnny Noviello, died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody on June 23, 2025, according to ICE's statement.
  • The cause of death is under investigation, following responses from medical staff and emergency services.
  • Noviello had been detained at a Federal Detention Center for removal proceedings after being arrested in May 2023 for several drug-related charges.

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Other (sources without bias rating):

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Sources

  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
  2. U.S. Congress
  3. Anita Anand via X