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Fact Check: at least one US citizen had died in ICE custody

Fact Check: "At least one US citizen had died in ICE custody"

What We Know

The claim that "at least one US citizen had died in ICE custody" is misleading. Recent reports indicate that the most notable death in ICE custody was that of Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, who was found unresponsive at a detention center in Florida on June 25, 2025 (New York Times). He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, and his death has been reported as part of a troubling trend of fatalities in ICE facilities, but he was not a US citizen (ICE).

As of June 2025, there have been 13 reported deaths in ICE custody, including that of a Cuban national and several others who were not US citizens (The Guardian). The agency has faced scrutiny for these incidents, which advocates attribute to deteriorating conditions in detention facilities (The Hill).

Analysis

The claim's validity hinges on the interpretation of "US citizen." The death of Johnny Noviello, while significant, does not support the assertion that a US citizen has died in ICE custody, as he was a Canadian national (ICE). The distinction is crucial; the term "US citizen" specifically refers to individuals who have citizenship status in the United States, which Noviello did not possess.

Furthermore, the context of the claim must be considered. The reports indicate a broader issue of deaths in ICE custody, which has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees, but the specific claim about US citizens is not substantiated by the available evidence. The sources reporting on these deaths, including ICE's own announcements and reputable news outlets, provide a consistent narrative that emphasizes the nationalities of the deceased, which do not include US citizens in the recent incidents (New York Times, The Guardian).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that "at least one US citizen had died in ICE custody" is false because the notable recent death in ICE custody was that of a Canadian citizen, Johnny Noviello, not a US citizen. The available evidence does not support the assertion that any US citizen has died in ICE custody in the reported timeframe.