Canadian diplomatic officials are urgently seeking information from United States authorities following a disturbing incident involving one of their citizens who was being held at a Florida immigration detention facility. The case has prompted immediate action from Canada’s foreign affairs department and raised serious questions about conditions and medical care within the US immigration detention system run by ICE.
The incident has created a diplomatic situation that extends beyond typical immigration enforcement, as Canadian consular officials work to gather details about what transpired at the Federal Detention Center in Miami. The urgency of their inquiries suggests the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate clarification about the circumstances involved.
Detention circumstances and medical emergency response
Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen who had been a lawful permanent resident of the United States since 1991, was found unresponsive during his detention on Monday afternoon. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials report that medical staff immediately responded to the emergency situation, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator shock before calling emergency services.
The Miami Fire Rescue Department arrived at the facility and pronounced Noviello dead at 1:36 PM, according to official statements from ICE. The cause of the medical emergency remains under investigation, with authorities declining to provide additional details while the inquiry continues.
Noviello had been detained since May 15 when ICE agents arrested him at a Florida Department of Corrections probation office. He was facing removal proceedings related to a 2023 conviction for racketeering and drug trafficking charges, for which he had served approximately 125 days of a 12-month sentence before being released on community service.
Medical history raises additional concerns
Court documents from Noviello’s criminal case reveal that he suffered from epilepsy, a condition requiring regular medication to control seizures. This medical information adds complexity to the investigation into his death and raises questions about whether his condition was properly managed during his detention.
The presence of a serious medical condition requiring ongoing treatment highlights the challenges immigration detention facilities face in providing appropriate healthcare to individuals with chronic illnesses. The investigation will likely examine whether Noviello received adequate medical attention and whether his epilepsy medication was properly administered during his time in custody.
His attorney from the criminal case, Daniel Leising, indicated that he had last heard from Noviello in February when a judge granted him community service rather than continued incarceration. The timeline suggests Noviello had been complying with his legal obligations before his immigration arrest three months later.
Diplomatic response and international implications
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand issued a public statement confirming that the government was notified of Noviello’s death on Thursday, three days after the incident occurred. Her statement emphasized that Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from US authorities about the circumstances surrounding the death.
The diplomatic response reflects standard protocol when citizens die while in foreign custody, but the urgency of the language suggests particular concern about the case. Canadian officials have indicated they will respect the family’s privacy while continuing to pursue answers about what transpired at the detention facility.
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that consular officials are in direct contact with US authorities to gather comprehensive information about the incident. This diplomatic engagement demonstrates the seriousness with which the Canadian government is treating the situation and their commitment to ensuring transparency in the investigation.
Broader context of immigration enforcement
Noviello’s death occurred during a period of intensified immigration enforcement under the current administration’s expanded deportation operations. ICE has significantly increased arrest activities across the United States, with officials setting targets of thousands of arrests daily as part of what has been described as the largest mass deportation program in American history.
The death represents the tenth fatality in ICE custody during 2025 and the fourth to occur in Florida facilities, according to agency records. These statistics highlight ongoing concerns about conditions within the immigration detention system and the medical care provided to individuals awaiting removal proceedings.
The timing of this incident amid heightened deportation activities has drawn additional attention to the treatment of detainees and the adequacy of medical care provided within immigration detention facilities.
