A Cuban citizen aged 75 and identified as Isidro Pérez passed away while in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as reported by the agency in an official statement this Sunday.
The death occurred on June 26 at 8:42 p.m. at HCA Kendall Hospital in Florida. The specific causes of death are currently under investigation.
Pérez was detained at the Medical Housing Unit of the Krome Service Processing Center (KSPC) when, around 7:00 p.m. on the mentioned day, he informed the ICE medical staff that he was experiencing chest pain.
According to the report, the Miami-Dade County rescue team responded by performing resuscitation maneuvers, including the use of an automated external defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
"The statement noted, 'He responded to the resuscitation methods.'"
Pérez was urgently transferred to HCA Kendall Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. However, the medical staff declared him dead at 8:42 p.m. on the same Thursday.
Arrest and record
Isidro Pérez had been arrested by ICE on June 5 in Key Largo, Florida, during an immigration operation.
At that moment, he was charged with inadmissibility under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.
The day after his arrest, he was transferred to Krome, where he was diagnosed with multiple medical issues upon admission.
His health condition required continuous monitoring.
On June 17, he was hospitalized at Larkin Community Hospital after experiencing unstable angina, with changes noted in the electrocardiogram.
Pérez was discharged from the hospital on June 25, just one day before his passing.
Isidro Pérez had been in the United States for almost 60 years. ICE revealed that he was released on parole in Houston, Texas, on April 1, 1966.
However, on February 10, 1981, and January 25, 1984, he was found guilty of possession of a controlled substance in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Procedures After Death
Following the death of the Cuban citizen, ICE activated its usual protocols.
"The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations notified the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Inspector General, and the ICE Professional Responsibility Office through the Integrity Coordination Center," the statement noted.
The agency detailed that the Consulate of Cuba 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 be made within two business days through a public announcement 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.
Conditions of detention and medical care
In its statement, ICE defended the quality of the environment in which it holds individuals in detention, emphasizing that the agency is "committed to ensuring that all individuals in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments."
According to ICE medical protocol, each detained individual receives a medical, dental, and mental health evaluation within the first 12 hours of their arrival at a facility.
A complete medical evaluation is also conducted within a maximum of 14 days, with continuous access to emergency medical care 24 hours a day.
“At no time during the detention is emergency care denied to an undocumented foreign national in custody,” the statement emphasized.
However, the death of Isidro Pérez adds to a series of cases that have raised concerns about the medical treatment and conditions of detention for individuals held in immigration custody in the United States.
On June 23, Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen, also died while in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a federal detention center in Miami.
Noviello was found without vital signs on June 23, at 12:54 p.m., in the Federal Detention Center in Miami, where he had been held awaiting deportation.
In that case, it emerged that Noviello had legally entered the United States in 1988 and obtained permanent residency in 1991.
However, he was sentenced in October 2023 on several charges related to drug trafficking in Volusia County, Florida, including Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, and served a 12-month prison sentence.
So far in the 2025 fiscal year, at least 13 people have died in the United States while in ICE custody, according to CBS News.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Death of a Cuban National in ICE Custody
How did the death of Isidro Pérez occur while in ICE custody?
Isidro Pérez, a 75-year-old Cuban citizen, died at HCA Kendall Hospital in Florida on June 26, 2025 after experiencing chest pain while in the custody of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at 8:42 p.m.
What are the conditions of detention and medical care in ICE facilities?
ICE detention centers have been criticized for their overcrowded conditions and medical care. There are reports of a lack of hygiene and adequate medical attention, raising concerns about the treatment of detainees. ICE claims that it provides medical care around the clock, but recent deaths have cast doubt on the effectiveness of these services.
What is the context of the deaths in ICE custody in 2025?
So far in the fiscal year 2025, at least 13 people have died in ICE custody. This number has raised concerns about the conditions and treatment of detained immigrants, against a backdrop of stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration.
What protocols does ICE follow after the death of a detainee?
Following the death of a detainee, ICE activates protocols that include notifications to the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Inspector General, and the ICE Professional Responsibility Office. Additionally, the consulate of the deceased's country of origin is informed, and a detailed report is released within 90 days as part of ICE's legal obligations.
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