CANADIAN NATIONAL DETAINED BY ICE DIES

According to the ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Newsroom, Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen detained at a detention center in Miami, was pronounced dead by city firefighters on June 23 at 1 p.m. The cause of death is under investigation.
Johnny Noviello was being held at the Bureau of Prisons Federal Detention Center awaiting deportation proceedings when he was found unconscious on June 23 at 12:54 p.m. The ICE Newsroom reports that medical personnel immediately responded and began administering CPR and an automated external defibrillator shock. They also called 911.
Mr. Noviello entered the United States legally on January 2, 1988, on a valid visa and became a legal permanent resident (green card holder, not a naturalized US citizen) on October 24, 1991. In Volusia County in October 2023, he was convicted of racketeering, trafficking seven to 14 grams of oxycodone, trafficking four to 14 grams of illegal drugs, trafficking hydrocodone, and illegal use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime, and sentenced to 12 months in prison. On May 15, 2025, he was arrested by ICE at the Florida Department of Corrections probation office, where he was served with a summons and sentenced to deportation after being convicted of « violation (or conspiracy or attempt to violate) any law or regulation of a state, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 802), except for a single offense involving possession for personal use of 30 grams or less of marijuana, as a non-immigrant who has exceeded the duration of his authorized stay. »
A green card holder may be arrested by ICE for crimes such as drug offenses or drunk driving, and has the right to challenge their removal in immigration court. Although drunk driving is not always a direct cause for deportation, certain aggravating factors such as injury, drug use, or multiple convictions may trigger deportation proceedings. If arrested, a green card holder will likely receive a “Notice to Appear” (NTA) and will have the opportunity to present their case before an immigration court before any removal decision is made.
Upon Mr. Noviello’s death, the ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) notified the Canadian consulate in Miami by telephone. According to Axios, the Canadian government is demanding answers from the United States following his death.
In 2025, seven other detainees died while in ICE custody.