The death of Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian national, in a Miami immigration detention centre has sparked urgent questions regarding the health monitoring of detainees in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. An autopsy has revealed that Mr. Noviello succumbed to a rare form of acute kidney failure—an ailment that experts assert should have been identified and treated prior to his death.
Autopsy Findings and Expert Opinions
The Miami-Dade County medical examiner’s office determined that Mr. Noviello passed away due to kidney failure caused by extensive calcium oxalate crystal deposits in his kidneys. This shocking conclusion was revealed through an autopsy report obtained by The Globe and Mail. Six kidney specialists reviewed the findings, with four suggesting that the presence of these crystals likely resulted from the ingestion of ethylene glycol, a toxic substance commonly found in antifreeze. The other two experts proposed that an undiagnosed liver or digestive condition might have led to an excess oxalate accumulation, potentially worsened by severe dehydration during his detention.
The nature of acute kidney failure means that symptoms typically present well before a fatal outcome. Dr. Serge Lemay of McGill University emphasised, “Kidney failure doesn’t cause you to die instantaneously. He must have been sick for at least some days before he died.” This raises significant concerns regarding the level of medical care afforded to Mr. Noviello while in custody.
ICE Under Scrutiny
Since the beginning of 2025, ICE has faced mounting scrutiny due to a wave of fatalities in its detention facilities. More than 30 individuals have died in ICE custody this year alone, prompting public outcry and calls for accountability. In light of a recent enforcement operation that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens, the agency is under intense examination regarding its treatment of detainees.
An ICE spokesperson stated the agency is dedicated to ensuring safe and humane conditions for those in their care. However, questions remain unanswered about how Mr. Noviello’s health was monitored and managed during his five weeks in detention, particularly given the autopsy findings which indicated there was no severe chronic kidney condition present prior to his incarceration.
Family’s Quest for Answers
Mr. Noviello’s family has voiced their distress over his unexpected death. His brother, Angelo, shared that the family is now preparing to repatriate Johnny’s remains to Quebec. They maintain that there was no justification for his detention and that he was set to return home after being held for 40 days. “He was a U.S. permanent resident who had lived there since childhood,” Angelo stated. “He was ready to leave. There was no reason for this to happen.”
Despite undergoing lab work twice during his detention, the findings from these tests have not been fully disclosed. An ICE mortality review noted that Mr. Noviello exhibited normal vital signs two weeks prior to his death, yet he showed signs of severe distress close to the time of his passing. Observations of reddish discolouration around his wrists and ankles further suggest he may not have received timely medical attention.
The Broader Implications
The circumstances surrounding Johnny Noviello’s death have profound implications for the treatment of detainees in the U.S. immigration system. A 2024 study examining 52 deaths in ICE custody found that 95% of cases could have been prevented with appropriate medical care. Advocates for reform, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have pointed out that the healthcare system within immigration detention facilities has long been inadequate, particularly for the medically vulnerable.
“Medical and mental health care in immigration detention facilities was failing people—especially the most medically vulnerable—even before the Trump administration,” said Eunice Cho, a senior counsel at the ACLU. “Under this administration, things have gotten markedly worse.”
Why it Matters
The tragic loss of Johnny Noviello underscores a critical need for systemic reform within the U.S. immigration detention system. His death not only highlights the potential failings of medical oversight but also raises broader questions about the treatment and rights of detainees. As scrutiny of ICE intensifies, the call for humane and adequate medical care for all individuals in custody has never been more urgent. The case serves as a stark reminder of the human cost associated with immigration enforcement policies and the essential need for accountability and reform.
