Cuban Man, 75, Dies in ICE Custody: Medical Care Under Scrutiny

Key Largo, Florida, USA - In a tragic turn of events, Isidro Pérez, a 75-year-old Cuban man, passed away under the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 26, 2025. Pérez had been in detention since June 5, having been arrested in Key Largo on charges of „inadmissibility pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act.“ He was sent to the Krome North Detention Center located in Miami, where he reportedly experienced serious medical issues that ultimately led to his untimely death. According to Record, this incident marks the 10th death of an individual in ICE custody this year, with Pérez being the 5th in Florida and the 3rd at Krome.

Pérez had become a familiar figure in the U.S., having arrived in 1966 under the Cuban Adjustment Act. Over his lengthy stay, he had several legal troubles, including past convictions for possession of controlled substances in 1981 and 1984. While his history may cast shadows, it shouldn’t overshadow the humanity of his situation. Family members allege that during his detention, Pérez suffered from inadequate medical attention, experiencing extreme cold conditions, sleeping on the floor, and lacking timely access to necessary medications.

Health Struggles and Final Hours

Just days before his death, Pérez was diagnosed with multiple medical conditions and was admitted to Larkin Community Hospital for unstable angina on June 17. After receiving treatment, he was discharged on June 25 and returned to the Krome Detention Center. Just a day later, at approximately 7 p.m. on June 26, he reported chest pains to the health staff there. Emergency responders, including Miami Dade Rescue, attempted life-sustaining measures before he was transported to Kendall Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:42 p.m. As CBS News reported, the official cause of death is still under investigation, with ICE notifying various agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The rising number of deaths in ICE custody has become a concerning trend. Since October 2024, there have already been 12 confirmed fatalities in ICE detention, matching the total for all of the previous fiscal year. Human rights groups have raised alarms over this pattern, pointing fingers at aggressive detention policies that may contribute to these tragedies. According to Newsweek, the mortality rate for ICE detainees is about 21.3 deaths per 100,000 people, a startling statistic that raises questions about the quality of medical care and oversight within these facilities.

A Call for Accountability

ICE maintains that detainees receive high-quality medical care; however, critics, including the ACLU, argue otherwise, claiming there is a significant lack of accountability for the conditions in which migrants are held. With funding headed toward expansion of detention facilities, including new developments dubbed „Alligator Alcatraz“ in Florida, advocates are sounding the alarm about a potentially dangerous trajectory in the treatment of detainees.

Pérez’s story illustrates a human tragedy amidst the broader debate over immigration policy in the U.S. As families mourn their loved ones, the ripple effects of these policies raise more profound questions about justice, equity, and the values we hold as a society. What needs to change to prevent further tragedies like this? The conversation continues, and it’s one that must prioritize human life above all else.