Royer Perez-Jimenez, a 19-year-old Mexican national, died early Monday morning at Florida's Glades County Detention Center while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Key Takeaways
A 19-year-old Mexican national died in ICE custody at Florida's Glades County Detention Center early Monday morning. The teenager was found unconscious and despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead within minutes. The cause of death is presumed to be suicide but remains under investigation.
- Royer Perez-Jimenez, 19, died in ICE custody at a Florida detention center
- Found unconscious at 2:34 a.m., pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m.
- Cause of death presumed to be suicide, but under investigation
- Fourth detainee death this month and thirteenth this year under Trump's administration
- Perez-Jimenez is the youngest person to die in federal immigration custody during Trump's second term
The teenager was found unconscious by detention officers around 2:34 a.m. EST. Despite medical staff performing CPR, he was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m., according to ICE officials. The cause of death remains under investigation but is presumed to be suicide.
The incident marks the fourth immigration detainee death this month and the thirteenth this year since President Trump returned to office in January 2025. Perez-Jimenez is also the youngest person to die in federal immigration custody during Trump's second term, per ICE statistics.
Perez-Jimenez first entered the United States on February 19, 2022, and was granted voluntary return to Mexico by U.S. Border Patrol that same day. He re-entered at an unknown date before being arrested in January for felony fraud and misdemeanor resisting arrest. Transferred to ICE custody on February 21st, he was moved to the Glades County facility five days later.
During his intake screening, Perez-Jimenez reportedly answered 'no' to all questions regarding behavioral health issues or suicidal tendencies. The incident comes amidst a broader crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration, which has seen an increase in detainee deaths compared to previous years.
The Mexican government expressed concern over the death, calling it unacceptable and urging a thorough investigation. Officials from the Consulate in Miami visited the facility where Perez-Jimenez was held and requested documentation about the case. The Office of The District 21 Medical Examiner has not yet responded to requests for the autopsy report.
Perez-Jimenez's death sparked condemnation within the immigrant community, with advocates highlighting the harsh conditions in immigration detention centers. ICE stated that an officer found Perez-Jimenez unconscious and unresponsive at 2:34 a.m., and medical staff initiated life-saving measures before he was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m.
The Glades County Detention Center, where Perez-Jimenez died, is about 55 miles northeast of Fort Myers. The facility had been shut down by the Biden administration but was reopened under Trump's presidency. Florida houses several well-known immigrant detention centers, some of which have faced reports of poor conditions.
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