Canadian outrage erupts after citizen dies in ICE custody - Carney vs Trump tensions boil over

A Canadian man has died while in U.S. immigration custody, setting off a wave of concern across Canada. The event has led to urgent questions from Canadian officials and more criticism of how the US enforces immigration under Trump's policies.

Canadian citizen Johnny Noviello, 49, died in ICE custody in Florida while awaiting deportation. The Canadian government wants to know what happened, and U.S. officials say they are looking into the cause of death. His case has made things worse between Washington and Ottawa.

How did Canadian officials respond to his death?

The Canadian government is "urgently seeking more information from U.S. officials."

According to an ICE news release, the Miami Fire Rescue Department declared Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian citizen in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, dead at 1:36 p.m. on June 23. The cause of death is still being investigated, as per a report by CTV News.

According to ICE, Noviello's death was communicated to the Canadian consulate via telephone. The Canadian government was informed of Noviello's passing, and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed her condolences to the family in a social media post.



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On June 23, just before 1 p.m., Noviello was discovered unconscious, the release stated. At a Bureau of Prisons detention facility, medical personnel used a defibrillator and conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

At 1:36 p.m. local time, less than an hour after he was discovered at 12:54 p.m., the Miami Fire Rescue Department declared him dead.


Within ninety days, as mandated by U.S. law, a more detailed report on Noviello's passing will be posted online, as per a report by Global News.

What led to Johnny Noviello’s arrest and deportation?

On January 2, 1988, ICE noted that the Canadian had obtained a visa and entered the United States. Three years later, he was admitted as a permanent resident. But it also stated that he was subject to deportation due to his conviction on drug charges "as a non-immigrant overstay."

He was charged with removal for breaking U.S. drug laws after being taken into custody by ICE at a probation office on May 15, 2025.

He was found guilty of drug trafficking and racketeering in eastern Florida in October 2023 and given a 12-month prison sentence.

What role do President Trump’s immigration policies play here?

The Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement by attempting to remove immigrants who have been accused or found guilty of major crimes, especially murder and drug offenses, as soon as possible. Donald Trump has promised to deport millions of people who are allegedly illegally in the country.

FAQs

Why was Johnny Noviello in ICE custody?
Noviello, a Canadian and permanent resident of the United States, was detained following a 2023 drug trafficking conviction in Florida. ICE initiated deportation proceedings based on that conviction.

What is Canada doing now that he has died?
The Canadian government says it is urgently seeking more information from US authorities and has expressed condolences to Noviello's family, but has not released any additional information due to privacy laws.