Trending Now - Tragic Death of Mexican Teen in US Immigration Detention
WHO:
Royer Perez-Jimenez, 19-year-old Mexican migrant
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Carly Pérez Fernández, communications director at Detention Watch Network
Mexican government officials
Glades County Detention Center staff
Volusia County Sheriff's Office
WHAT:
Royer Perez-Jimenez is the second person to die in ICE custody in the week of March 13th to March 19th, 2026.
The Office of The District 21 Medical Examiner did not respond to a request for the autopsy report from The Associated Press.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office stated that Royer Perez-Jimenez does not appear in their system when requested for the arrest report.
ICE reported that 13 immigrants have died in custody in 2026, which is more than three times the number at this point in 2025.
Royer Perez-Jimenez died at the Glades County Detention Center
Death is reported as a presumed suicide, with an official cause of death under investigation
This incident marks the 46th death under ICE custody since January 2025
Perez-Jimenez is the youngest to die in ICE custody since the beginning of Trump’s second term
13 immigrants have died in ICE custody in 2026
Perez-Jimenez was found unconscious at 2:34 a.m. on March 16th, 2026
He was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m., 17 minutes after being found
He was arrested on January 22nd, 2026, charged with felony impersonation and resisting an officer
WHERE:
Glades County Detention Center, Moore Haven, Florida
Volusia County, Florida
Approximately 55 miles (90 kilometers) northeast of Fort Myers, Florida
WHEN:
Perez-Jimenez was arrested on January 22nd, 2026
He was transferred to ICE custody on February 21st, 2026
He was moved to Glades County Detention Center on February 26th, 2026
Perez-Jimenez first entered the U.S. on February 19th, 2022
WHY:
The Mexican government called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the death, labeling immigration detention deaths as “unacceptable” on March 17th, 2026.
The Mexican government called for a prompt and thorough U.S. investigation into the death, labeling immigration detention deaths as “unacceptable”
The immigrant community condemned the death, citing the conditions of the immigration detention system
HOW:
ICE stated that Perez-Jimenez was evaluated by medical staff upon his arrival at the detention center and answered "no" to all suicide screening questions.
Staff at the detention center initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after finding Perez-Jimenez unresponsive
Medical personnel arrived shortly after and determined he had no pulse before initiating life-sustaining interventions
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 13:20 UTC)
In a troubling development, Royer Perez-Jimenez became the second person to die in ICE custody during the week of March 13th to March 19th, 2026, raising concerns as the agency reported a total of 13 immigrant deaths in custody this year, which is more than three times the number from the same period last year. The Mexican government has called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, deeming immigration detention deaths as “unacceptable.” Meanwhile, ICE stated that Perez-Jimenez was evaluated by medical staff upon his arrival at the detention center and had answered "no" to all suicide screening questions, but the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office indicated that he does not appear in their system when requested for the arrest report.
--
(UPDATED March 20, 2026 03:46 UTC)
In a tragic incident, 19-year-old Royer Perez-Jimenez died at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, with his death being reported as a presumed suicide, although the official cause is still under investigation. This marks the 46th death under ICE custody since January 2025, and Perez-Jimenez is the youngest to die in such circumstances since Trump’s second term began, having been found unconscious early last Monday and pronounced dead just 17 minutes later. The Mexican government is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, while the immigrant community has condemned the conditions of the immigration detention system.