A 75-year-old Cuban national, identified as Isidro Pérez, passed away while under the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by the agency in an official statement on Sunday. Pérez died at the HCA Kendall Hospital in Florida on June 26 at 8:42 p.m. The precise cause of death is currently under investigation.
Pérez was held in the Medical Housing Unit of the Krome Service Processing Center (KSPC) when he reported experiencing chest pain to ICE medical staff around 7:00 p.m. on that day. The Miami-Dade County rescue team responded, performing resuscitation efforts including the use of an automated external defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). "He responded to resuscitation methods," the statement noted.
He was urgently transferred to HCA Kendall Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. However, hospital personnel pronounced him dead at 8:42 p.m. that Thursday.
Background and Health Issues
Isidro Pérez was apprehended by ICE on June 5 in Key Largo, Florida, during a migration enforcement operation. At that time, he was charged with inadmissibility under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. The day following his arrest, he was moved to Krome, where multiple medical issues were identified during his intake, requiring ongoing medical attention.
On June 17, he was hospitalized at Larkin Community Hospital after presenting unstable angina with electrocardiogram changes. Pérez was discharged on June 25, just one day prior to his death.
Having lived in the United States for nearly 60 years, Pérez was initially granted parole in Houston, Texas, on April 1, 1966. Nonetheless, he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance twice, on February 10, 1981, and January 25, 1984, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Procedures Following the Death
In response to Pérez’s death, ICE activated its standard protocols. "The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations notified the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility through the Joint Integrity Coordination Center," the statement reported. The Cuban Consulate was also informed of the death via telephone.
According to current policy, ICE is required to formally notify Congress, relevant non-governmental organizations, and the media. This notification must occur within two business days in the form of a public statement on the agency's website. Additionally, in compliance with the 2018 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act, ICE must publish a detailed report on the death within 90 days, available in the Detainee Death Reports section on ICE.gov.
Detention Conditions and Medical Care
In its statement, ICE defended the quality of the environment provided to detainees, asserting that the agency is "committed to ensuring that all individuals in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments." According to ICE's medical protocol, each detainee undergoes a medical, dental, and mental health evaluation within the first 12 hours of arrival at a center. A comprehensive medical assessment is also completed within 14 days, with continuous access to emergency medical care available 24/7.
"At no time during detention is emergency medical care denied to any undocumented detainee," the statement emphasized. However, Isidro Pérez's death adds to a series of incidents that have raised concerns about medical treatment and detention conditions for individuals under U.S. immigration custody.
On June 23, Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian national, also died while in ICE custody at a federal detention center in Miami. Noviello was found unresponsive on June 23 at 12:54 p.m. in the Miami Federal Detention Center, where he was awaiting deportation. Noviello had legally entered the U.S. in 1988 and obtained permanent residency in 1991. However, he was convicted in Volusia County, Florida, in October 2023 for multiple drug-related charges, including Oxycodone and Hydrocodone trafficking, serving a 12-month prison sentence.
According to CBS News, at least 13 individuals have died under ICE custody in the U.S. during the current fiscal year 2025.
Understanding ICE Custody Deaths
What are the common causes of death in ICE custody?
Deaths in ICE custody can occur due to various reasons, including medical conditions, lack of timely medical care, or pre-existing health issues exacerbated by detention conditions.
How does ICE respond to a death in custody?
ICE initiates protocols involving notifications to relevant authorities and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Inspector General, and releases a public statement. A detailed report is also published within 90 days.