MIAMI (AP) — A tragic incident has unfolded in Florida, where a 19-year-old Mexican migrant, Royer Perez-Jimenez, has reportedly died from what is presumed to be suicide while being held in an ICE facility. His death marks a troubling statistic, being the second reported within a week and the 46th during the Trump administration since 2025.
The Mexican teenager was found unconscious at the Glades County Detention Center in Moore Haven early on Monday. According to ICE, despite attempts to resuscitate him, Perez-Jimenez was pronounced dead just minutes after staff were alerted.
A spokesperson for wayfinding and support group Detention Watch Network condemned the incident, stating that the immigration detention system subjects individuals to torturous conditions that exacerbate mental health issues. Carly Pérez Fernández, the communications director for the advocacy group, underscored the isolation and dire conditions faced by detainees.
On January 22, Perez-Jimenez had been arrested by local sheriff’s officers and subsequently turned over to ICE custody following an unresolved felony charge. The details surrounding his arrest remain unclear since the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has no record of him in their system.
Florida's detention centers have gained notoriety for harsh conditions, often described by detainees as inhumane. Reports include issues with food safety, sanitation, and poor living conditions, raising questions about the treatment of migrants and the administrative policies in place.
The death of Royer Perez-Jimenez has reignited discussions about the pervasive issue of immigrant detention across the United States and the growing number of fatalities associated with it, calling for substantial reforms in the immigration system.
