Canadian citizen dies while in U.S. ICE custody in Florida

A Canadian citizen has died while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Florida and awaiting removal from the United States, the agency says.

The Canadian, identified as 49-year-old Johnny Noviello, was found unresponsive Monday at the Federal Detention Center in Miami and was attended to by medical staff, but was pronounced dead the same day, ICE said in a statement Wednesday.

The cause of death remains under investigation.

In its statement, ICE noted Noviello had been a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. since 1991, after entering the country through legal visa status in 1988. However, it also said he was facing removal for being convicted of drug charges “as a non-immigrant overstay.”

He was convicted of drug trafficking and other charges in Volusia County, Florida, in 2023 and sentenced to 12 months in prison, ICE said.

Trending Now

In May of this year, Noviello was arrested by ICE at the Florida Department of Corrections probation office and charged with removability due to his earlier conviction.

The Trump administration has stepped up immigration enforcement by seeking to swiftly deport migrants who have been charged or convicted of serious crimes, particularly drug charges, assault and murder.

Trump has pledged to deport millions of people allegedly living in the U.S. illegally.

More to come…