Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for answers following the deaths of five individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in Florida. In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Mayor Levine Cava expressed her "deep and growing concern" over the "alarming number of deaths and medical emergencies" occurring under ICE custody, particularly within Florida facilities.
This year alone, three detainees have died at the Krome Detention Center in the southwest area of Miami-Dade County, one at the Broward Transitional Center, and another at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Miami, according to Levine Cava. "I am profoundly troubled by the deaths under ICE custody this year, including five in Florida, with three at the Krome Detention Center right here in Miami-Dade," the mayor stated.
In her correspondence, Levine Cava called for a "detailed report on all deaths under ICE custody" in 2025, which should include medical investigations and strategies implemented to rectify any potential "systemic errors." She noted that in June of this year, 32 emergency calls were recorded from Krome, compared to just five during the same month last year.
One notable case is the death of Isidro Pérez, a 75-year-old Cuban national, who died on June 26 while in ICE custody at Krome. Reports indicate that Pérez passed away at HCA Kendall Hospital in Miami following complaints of chest pain, amid claims from his family that he slept on the floor, suffered from cold, and received inadequate medical care during detention.
Another incident involved Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen who died on June 23 at the FDC in Miami while undergoing deportation proceedings. Noviello had been taken into ICE custody following a sentence for drug trafficking offenses.
The deaths of Pérez and Noviello are part of a broader pattern of fatalities under ICE detention, prompting serious concerns about the conditions and treatment of migrants in these centers. Mayor Levine Cava has urged the DHS to convene a meeting with local officials, medical experts, and community leaders to address the situation in Florida's ICE facilities and discuss measures to prevent future harm.
Additionally, Levine Cava has demanded access to, and monitoring of, the state detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz," situated in the Everglades on Miami-Dade County land. She highlighted that while the facility is state-controlled, it is constructed on public land owned by county taxpayers.
The death of Isidro Pérez has ignited significant backlash, particularly after comments from former ICE Director and Trump administration advisor Tom Homan, who remarked, "People die in ICE custody." His statements have been widely condemned on social media as "cold" and "inhumane."
According to official statistics cited by EFE, as of June 7, 2025, there have been 11 deaths under ICE custody across the United States during the current fiscal year, with five occurring in Florida.
Understanding the Crisis in Florida's ICE Detention Centers
What prompted Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to contact DHS?
Mayor Levine Cava reached out to DHS due to the alarming number of deaths and medical emergencies occurring in ICE detention centers in Florida.
How many deaths occurred in ICE custody in Florida in 2025?
In 2025, there have been five reported deaths in ICE custody within Florida.
What are the conditions reported in the Krome Detention Center?
Reports indicate inadequate medical care, with detainees sleeping on the floor and experiencing cold conditions.
What actions has Mayor Levine Cava requested from DHS?
The mayor has requested a detailed report on all deaths in ICE custody, a meeting with stakeholders, and monitoring access to certain detention facilities.