MIAMI (AP) — Royer Perez-Jimenez, a 19-year-old Mexican migrant, died at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reporting that he 'died of presumed suicide.' His official cause of death is still under investigation. This tragedy marks the 46th reported death under ICE custody since Donald Trump's administration began in January 2025. Only a week earlier, an Afghan immigrant, who had previously worked with U.S. forces, also died while in detention after being hospitalized in Texas.
Perez-Jimenez's death is particularly alarming as he is the youngest detainee to die in ICE custody since the onset of Trump’s second term. The year 2026 alone has seen 13 deaths in ICE detention. The news of his passing has drawn significant condemnation from within the immigrant community. Carly Pérez Fernández, communications director at Detention Watch Network, criticized the immigrant detention system, stating it deprives individuals of freedom, isolates them from family, and subjects them to abysmal conditions.
Authorities revealed that an officer found Perez-Jimenez unconscious early Monday morning and initiated a medical emergency response. Despite efforts including an attempt at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The young man had been arrested for felony charges of impersonation and resisting an officer before being transferred to ICE custody. His case has prompted scrutiny of the conditions in Florida's detention centers.
Reports indicate that many facilities in Florida—often aligning closely with Trump's immigration policies—have faced allegations concerning unsatisfactory living conditions, inadequate medical care, and prolonged detention without proper legal proceedings. The deaths have raised urgent questions regarding the treatment of migrants in custody as advocates push for systemic change.
Perez-Jimenez's death is particularly alarming as he is the youngest detainee to die in ICE custody since the onset of Trump’s second term. The year 2026 alone has seen 13 deaths in ICE detention. The news of his passing has drawn significant condemnation from within the immigrant community. Carly Pérez Fernández, communications director at Detention Watch Network, criticized the immigrant detention system, stating it deprives individuals of freedom, isolates them from family, and subjects them to abysmal conditions.
Authorities revealed that an officer found Perez-Jimenez unconscious early Monday morning and initiated a medical emergency response. Despite efforts including an attempt at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The young man had been arrested for felony charges of impersonation and resisting an officer before being transferred to ICE custody. His case has prompted scrutiny of the conditions in Florida's detention centers.
Reports indicate that many facilities in Florida—often aligning closely with Trump's immigration policies—have faced allegations concerning unsatisfactory living conditions, inadequate medical care, and prolonged detention without proper legal proceedings. The deaths have raised urgent questions regarding the treatment of migrants in custody as advocates push for systemic change.
