Mexican Government Calls for Full Investigation Into Death of 19-Year-Old in ICE Custody

The Mexican government has called for a "prompt and exhaustive" investigation into the death of a 19-year-old Mexican national in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Florida, describing such incidents as "unacceptable" and urging authorities to determine responsibility and prevent future cases.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry said it is seeking a full clarification of the circumstances surrounding the death of Royer Perez-Jimenez, who died on March 16 at the Glades County Detention Center.

"These deaths are unacceptable," the ministry said in a statement, adding that it expects U.S. authorities to "clarify the circumstances that led to this death, determine responsibilities and establish effective guarantees of non-repetition."

Mexico's consulate in Miami has activated its consular protection protocol, visited the detention facility and formally requested reports and documentation related to the case. The government said it will pursue "all legal and diplomatic avenues" to support the victim's family and press U.S. officials to address "the conditions that facilitate this type of incident."

Mexico raised similar concerns in early March when the Foreign Ministry said it would "formally ask the investigation of the systemic conditions that led for such regrettable events to take place" following the death of another Mexican national in ICE custody in California. Officials requested clinical records and custody reports and emphasized that "the protection of human rights of Mexican people abroad is a priority," while providing assistance to the victim's family.

U.S. authorities have confirmed that the case is under investigation. ICE said Perez-Jimenez was found "unconscious and unresponsive" in a dormitory, prompting staff to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation before emergency responders arrived. He was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m. The agency described the death as a "presumed suicide," while noting that the official cause remains under investigation.

The case adds to a growing number of deaths in ICE detention facilities in 2026. At least 11 immigrants had died in custody between January and early March, according to data compiled from agency disclosures, with the total rising to at least 12 days before Perez-Jimenez's death following the death of an Afghan asylum seeker in Texas. Overall, 31 detainee deaths were recorded in 2025, the highest annual figure in nearly two decades.