U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed that a Canadian citizen died while in custody in Florida.
Johnny Noviello, 49, was pronounced dead by the Miami Fire Rescue Department June 23 at 1:36 p.m. and the cause of his death is under investigation, according to ICE. The agency said that he was found unresponsive at 12:54 pm and medical staff immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillator shock and called 911.
ICE said that Mr. Noviello was being detained at the Bureau of Prisons Federal Detention Center pending deportation proceedings. It said that he entered the United States in 1988 with a legal visa and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. Mr. Noviello was convicted in Volusia County of a number of charges including drug trafficking in 2023, the statement continued.
ICE arrested him on May 15, 2025, at the Florida Department of Corrections Probation office, issued a notice to appear and charged him with removability, because of his drug convictions as a “non-immigrant overstay” according to the statement.
Enforcement and Removal Operations provided notice of his death to Canada’s consulate, the statement said. ICE said its committed to ensuring those in its custody are in “safe, secure and humane environments” and that medical care is provided.
“At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care,” the statement said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said in a post on X that the Canadian government was notified of the death of a Canadian citizen while in custody in the United States.
“Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from US officials. I offer my sincere condolences to the family,” she wrote. Ms. Anand said no further details would be provided at this time to respect the family’s privacy.