Mexican teen dies while being held in US immigration custody
Key Takeaways
- A 19-year-old Mexican man, Royer Perez-Jimenez, was found unconscious in ICE custody at Glades County Detention Center and later died; ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) says the death is a "presumed suicide" but remains under investigation.
- It has been reported that Perez-Jimenez may be the youngest person to die in ICE custody since President Trump returned to office; advocacy groups say migrant deaths in custody have risen sharply.
- The Mexican government has demanded a prompt, thorough investigation and greater transparency; families and advocacy groups are calling for accountability and better medical and mental-health screening in detention.
What happened
ICE said officers found Royer Perez-Jimenez "unconscious and unresponsive" at 02:34 on 16 March at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida. Staff began life-saving efforts immediately, but he was later pronounced dead. ICE described the death as a presumed suicide while noting the official cause remains under investigation. Authorities say he was arrested in January, charged with impersonation fraud and a misdemeanor resisting-an-officer charge, and allegedly entered the US without authorization; ICE also stated he denied behavioral-health issues and answered "no" to suicide-screening questions on intake.
Context and numbers
It has been reported that US media and advocacy groups describe Perez-Jimenez as the youngest person to die in ICE custody since Trump returned to office, and Detention Watch Network has claimed there have been more than 42 migrant deaths in custody since January 2025. For context, ICE reported 24 deaths over President Biden's four-year term. These figures are contested and vary by source; official determinations about individual deaths are typically made after medical examiner reviews and internal or inspector-general investigations.
Human impact and next steps
The Mexican foreign ministry called the death "unacceptable" and has requested more details and guarantees of non-repetition. Families of people in detention can expect calls for independent investigations — including by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General — and potential civil litigation if negligence is alleged. For migrants and advocates, the case underscores concerns about medical and mental-health screening, staffing and oversight in detention facilities, and the stakes for people held while their immigration cases proceed. Those with loved ones in custody should seek consular assistance, document communications with facility staff, and consult immigration counsel about rights and avenues for inquiry.
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