A 19-year-old Mexican man has died while being held in detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency has confirmed.
Royer Perez-Jimenez was found unconscious and unresponsive on Monday at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida, according to a statement from ICE.
He died of a presumed suicide; however, the official cause of his death remains under investigation, the statement adds.
According to US media, Perez-Jimenez is the youngest prisoner to die in ICE custody since Donald Trump returned to office and launched a nationwide immigration crackdown.
Perez-Jimenez was found in his cell at 02:34 (07:34 GMT) on March 16, with ICE stating that prison staff immediately began life-saving efforts.
He had been arrested in January and charged with fraud for impersonation and resisting an officer. Officials report he had illegally entered the US at an unknown date.
Upon admission to the jail, he denied any behavioral health issues or concerns and answered 'no' to all suicide screening questions, ICE disclosed.
The Mexican government has demanded further details surrounding Perez-Jimenez's death, labeling it unacceptable. The foreign ministry reiterated the need for a prompt and thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances of this tragic event.
According to Detention Watch Network, over 42 migrant deaths in US custody have been recorded since Trump's re-election in January 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns about conditions and safety in ICE facilities.
In comparison, during Joe Biden's preceding administration, only 24 deaths were reported throughout his four-year term, as per ICE statistics.
