A 49-year-old Canadian national died last Sunday while detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a federal detention facility in Miami. Johnny Noviello was discovered unresponsive on June 23 at 12:54 p.m. at the Miami Federal Detention Center, where he was being held awaiting deportation, as stated in an official ICE report.
Medical staff at the facility immediately began resuscitation efforts and deployed an automatic defibrillator, while also calling for emergency medical services. Despite their efforts, Miami Fire Rescue declared him dead at 1:36 p.m., according to the release.
The cause of Noviello's death is still under investigation by U.S. authorities. Noviello legally entered the United States in 1988 and became a permanent resident in 1991. He was convicted in October 2023 on multiple drug trafficking charges in Volusia County, Florida, involving substances such as Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, and served a 12-month prison sentence. On May 15, 2025, ICE detained him at a Florida Department of Corrections parole office, deeming him inadmissible for violating controlled substance laws, and initiated deportation proceedings.
ICE reported that the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and the agency's Office of Professional Responsibility, along with the Canadian consulate, have been notified about the death. According to ICE's policy, a comprehensive report on the case will be released within the next 90 days, as required by U.S. Congressional budget stipulations.
The death of Johnny Noviello highlights growing concerns over the conditions within U.S. immigration detention centers. As of 2025, at least seven individuals have died in ICE custody, including Mexican nationals Jesús Molina Veya and Alberto Avellaneda Delgado, both in Georgia.
Reports of severe overcrowding at the facility where Noviello died have also surfaced, indicating detainees were forced to sleep standing up or on contaminated water. Additionally, the Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has announced plans for a new immigration prison known as "Lizard Alcatraz," located at an abandoned airport surrounded by alligators and pythons. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County is set to vote on a proposal to enhance local jail cooperation with ICE.
Florida recently revealed plans to allocate $20 million to Miami-Dade and Collier counties for purchasing a former airport in the Everglades as part of establishing a remote immigrant detention center.
Frequently Asked Questions about ICE Detention Centers and Deportation
What led to Johnny Noviello's detention by ICE?
Johnny Noviello was detained by ICE on May 15, 2025, due to a violation of controlled substance laws, which led to deportation proceedings being initiated against him.
How many people have died in ICE custody in 2025?
As of 2025, at least seven individuals have lost their lives while in ICE custody.
What are the concerns regarding the conditions in ICE detention centers?
There is growing concern over severe overcrowding, with reports indicating that detainees are forced to sleep standing up or on contaminated water in certain ICE detention centers.
What is "Lizard Alcatraz" and why is it controversial?
"Lizard Alcatraz" is a proposed immigration prison in Florida, located at an abandoned airport surrounded by alligators and pythons, raising controversy over its isolated and potentially dangerous location.