Related videos:
Relatives of Isidro Pérez, the 75-year-old Cuban who died on June 26 after spending three weeks in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Krome detention center in Miami, have shared new details about his living conditions during detention and the emotional impact he faced regarding a potential deportation to Cuba.
“I can’t describe it to you, because it still feels like a dream, a nightmare,” said María Adánez, ex-partner of Pérez, in statements to Telemundo 51. She stated that he told her he slept on the floor, felt very cold, and had not been seen by a doctor. “He tells me: ‘they call this the freezer,’ I haven’t seen a doctor because there are too many of us here,” she recalled.
According to the deceased's sister, Isidro was sleeping in a boat on the sea off Key Largo. “We used to prepare boxes of food for him. And when he came ashore to pick it up, that’s when they caught him,” she explained. ICE arrested him on June 5, accused of being an inadmissible migrant. He was transferred to the Krome center the following day, where he was diagnosed with several medical issues.
On June 17, he was admitted to Larkin Hospital for unstable angina and remained there for a week. On the 25th, he was discharged, but a day later, he complained of severe chest pain. He was transferred to Kendall Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:42 p.m. on June 26.
Pérez arrived in the United States 59 years ago, when he was only 16, and never regularized his immigration status. “Never, ever. And that was what harmed him the most,” Adánez acknowledged. According to ICE, in the 1980s he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, something that, according to his ex-partner, she was unaware of: “If he did it, he hid it very well.”
The family believes that the possibility of being deported to Cuba severely affected his health. “That’s why I think he had the heart attack, because he no longer knows where we are from,” said his sister, who added that although he didn't have papers, he had been in the country since he was a child and should have been given some opportunity.
"I’m not saying they shouldn't be punished, but there also has to be humanity involved, because all they are causing is pain, pain, and more pain," lamented Adánez.
ICE reported that it notified the relevant authorities and the Cuban Consulate of the death, and that it must publish an official report of the death within 90 days, as per its protocol. This case adds to other deaths that have occurred under immigration custody in the United States. Three days earlier, on June 23, Canadian citizen Johnny Noviello was found dead in a federal detention center in Miami. According to figures cited by U.S. media, at least 13 people have died so far in fiscal year 2025 while in ICE custody.
Frequently Asked Questions about the death of Cuban Isidro Pérez in ICE custody
What were the circumstances of Isidro Pérez's death while in ICE custody?
Isidro Pérez died on June 26, 2025, at HCA Kendall Hospital in Florida, after being transferred from the Krome Processing Center where he was detained. Despite having received prior medical attention for heart issues, his health continued to deteriorate, leading to his passing.
How did the conditions of detention affect Isidro Pérez's health?
According to family members, Isidro Pérez faced difficult conditions at the Krome detention center. He slept on the floor, suffered extreme cold, and did not receive timely adequate medical care. These conditions may have contributed to his health deterioration and eventual death.
What protocols should ICE follow after the death of a detainee?
ICE is required to notify several entities about the death of a detainee, including the Department of Homeland Security, the consulate of the country of origin, and Congress. Additionally, it must publish a detailed report on the death within 90 days.
What impact does the current U.S. immigration policy have on detainees in centers like Krome?
The current immigration policy has tightened the conditions for migrants, resulting in mass detentions and overcrowded conditions in centers like Krome. This has raised concerns about humane treatment and adequate medical care for those detained.
What other deaths have occurred in ICE custody in fiscal year 2025?
In fiscal year 2025, at least 13 people have died while in ICE custody. These deaths have raised concerns about the detention conditions and the medical care provided in facilities managed by ICE.
Filed under: