A 19-year-old Mexican man has tragically died while in detention under the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Royer Perez-Jimenez was found unconscious and unresponsive at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, confirming ICE's statement.
Reportedly, Perez-Jimenez's death is being treated as a presumed suicide, although the official cause remains under investigation.
This incident marks a notable low, as he becomes the youngest detainee to die in ICE custody following the revival of stringent immigration measures under the Trump administration, which commenced a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement.
Perez-Jimenez was discovered in his cell early on March 16, with ICE announcing that detention staff promptly initiated life-saving efforts.
The young man had been arrested earlier in January, facing charges related to fraud by impersonation and resisting arrest, all while being classified as having illegally entered the US at an unspecified time.
Upon his admission to the facility, he reportedly denied any behavioral health issues and answered no to all suicide screening questions, raising additional concerns about the mental health support available to detainees.
The Mexican government has expressed serious concerns over Perez-Jimenez's death, labeling it unacceptable and has called for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Data from the Detention Watch Network indicates that since the current administration took office in January 2025, there have been at least 42 migrant deaths in custody, contrasting sharply with just 24 reported during Joe Biden's presidency.
The situation has prompted increased scrutiny over ICE operations and the overall conditions that immigrants face while in custody.
