Fact Check: Canadian Man Dies in ICE Custody, Raising Urgent Questions
What We Know
On June 23, 2025, Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, was found unresponsive while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Bureau of Prisons Federal Detention Center in Miami, Florida. Medical personnel attempted to revive him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator shocks, but he was pronounced dead at 1:36 PM by the Miami Fire Rescue Department (ICE, New York Times).
Noviello had entered the United States in 1988 and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. He was arrested by ICE on May 15, 2025, after being convicted of racketeering and drug trafficking in October 2023, for which he was sentenced to 12 months in prison (USA Today, Newsweek). His death marks the 10th fatality in ICE custody for the fiscal year 2025, which began in October 2024 (USA Today).
Analysis
The circumstances surrounding Noviello's death have raised significant concerns about the conditions in which detainees are held by ICE. The agency has stated that it is committed to providing safe and humane environments for individuals in its custody, asserting that comprehensive medical care is available (ICE). However, the repeated instances of deaths in custody, including Noviello's, have prompted scrutiny and calls for investigations into ICE's practices.
Noviello's death occurred amid a broader context of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has faced criticism for its handling of detainees and the conditions within detention facilities (New York Times). Canadian officials have expressed a need for more information regarding the circumstances of his death, indicating that there may be diplomatic implications and a demand for accountability (USA Today).
The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is generally high. The information from ICE is official and provides a factual basis for the events described. However, media outlets like the New York Times and USA Today offer additional context and analysis, which can help in understanding the broader implications of the incident.
Conclusion
The claim that a Canadian man died in ICE custody, raising urgent questions, is True. Johnny Noviello's death is confirmed by multiple reliable sources, and it highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detainees in ICE facilities. The incident has prompted calls for further investigation and accountability, particularly from Canadian officials seeking more information.
