Canadian Dies in ICE Custody: Government Urgently Seeks Answers
The Canadian government is urgently requesting details after a Canadian dies in ICE custody in Florida. Officials confirmed the death of 49-year-old Johnny Noviello on June 23, following medical intervention at a U.S. federal detention center.
What We Know So Far About the Death
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Noviello was found unresponsive just before 1 p.m. Medical staff performed CPR, used a defibrillator, and called 911. He was pronounced dead by Miami Fire Rescue at 1:36 p.m.
The cause of death remains under investigation. ICE has not released further medical information.
Canada Responds to the Tragedy
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand shared on social media that Canadian consular officials are in contact with U.S. authorities. She offered condolences to the family and confirmed the government is working to gather more details.
No additional updates have been issued by Global Affairs Canada at this time.
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Today, the Government of Canada was notified of the death of a Canadian citizen while in custody in the United States. Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from US officials. I offer my sincere condolences to the family.
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) June 26, 2025
In order to respect the…
Who Was Johnny Noviello?
Noviello entered the U.S. with a visa in 1988 and became a permanent resident in 1991. In 2023, he was convicted of racketeering and drug trafficking in Florida and sentenced to one year in prison.
He was arrested again in May 2025 by ICE during a probation appointment and detained for pending removal proceedings.
Court documents revealed he had epilepsy and relied on medication to manage seizures.
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Ongoing Immigration Crackdowns Add Pressure
The death comes during a sharp rise in U.S. immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. Recent executive orders have increased ICE operations, with a reported target of 3,000 arrests per day.
Earlier this year, protests erupted across cities like Los Angeles in response to mass detentions. In some cases, troops were deployed to manage demonstrations.
Other Canadians Caught in ICE Raids
This incident isn’t isolated. In March, Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian actress, was detained for 11 days while trying to renew her work visa. She later described the conditions as “disgusting” and said the experience left lasting trauma.
The rising number of Canadians held by ICE has sparked concern over detainee treatment and oversight.
What Happens Next?
As Canada investigates how another Canadian dies in ICE custody, many are calling for greater transparency and better protection for citizens detained abroad. The government has not yet confirmed whether an independent review will take place.
More…
- https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/a-terribly-sad-story-canadian-citizen-dies-while-in-ice-detention-in-florida/article_3f36e6f9-84df-4217-a619-f52f49f3122d.html
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-dies-in-ice-custody-1.7571876
- https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-canadian-dead-ice-custody-florida
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