Teen's Death in ICE Custody Sparks Outrage After Rough Arrest Footage

Body cam video shows 19-year-old Mexican migrant Royer Perez-Jimenez pinned during Florida traffic stop, died weeks later in ICE detention

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:06pm

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The death of 19-year-old Mexican migrant Royer Perez-Jimenez in ICE custody has sparked international outrage, following his rough arrest by Florida police. Body camera footage shows officers pinning Perez-Jimenez to the ground during a traffic stop, with the teen crying out in fear. He died two months later while in ICE detention, with the agency calling it a 'presumed suicide' - a determination rejected by Mexico's president as insufficient without a full investigation.

Why it matters

Perez-Jimenez's death highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in ICE custody, with the facility where he died having a long history of abuse allegations. His case comes amid a surge in detainee deaths during the Trump administration's expansion of immigration detention.

The details

On January 21, 2026, Perez-Jimenez was arrested by Edgewater, Florida police after they attempted to stop him for crossing traffic lanes on a scooter. Body camera footage shows officers tackling Perez-Jimenez, who spoke the Mayan language Tzotzil, and pinning him to the ground as he cried out in fear. He was charged with misdemeanor impersonation and resisting an officer. Perez-Jimenez was then transferred to ICE custody, where he died on March 16, 2026 at the Glades County Detention Center, which has a documented history of abuse allegations.

  • On January 21, 2026, Perez-Jimenez was arrested by Edgewater, Florida police.
  • On January 22, 2026, ICE placed a detainer on Perez-Jimenez.
  • On February 21, 2026, Perez-Jimenez was transferred into ICE custody.
  • On February 26, 2026, Perez-Jimenez was moved to the Glades County Detention Center.
  • On March 16, 2026, Perez-Jimenez was found unconscious and unresponsive at the Glades County Detention Center and pronounced dead.

The players

Royer Perez-Jimenez

A 19-year-old Mexican migrant who spoke the Mayan language Tzotzil and died in ICE custody.

Sergeant Vincent Castellano

An Edgewater, Florida police officer who was involved in the arrest of Perez-Jimenez.

Deputy Garcia

A Spanish-speaking Volusia County Sheriff's deputy who assisted in communicating with Perez-Jimenez during the arrest.

Glades County Detention Center

The immigration detention facility where Perez-Jimenez died, which has a documented history of abuse allegations.

ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that took Perez-Jimenez into custody and described his death as a 'presumed suicide.'

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What they’re saying

“He thought you were going to beat him. This has never happened before. He was scared.”

— Deputy Garcia, Spanish-speaking Volusia County Sheriff's deputy

“The media has demonised ICE to the point where we're terrified of them.”

— Police officer

What’s next

The Edgewater Police Department has not responded to requests for comment on whether the officers involved in Perez-Jimenez's arrest are under investigation for their use of force. The official cause of Perez-Jimenez's death remains under investigation.

The takeaway

Perez-Jimenez's death in ICE custody has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of the treatment of immigrants in detention, particularly at facilities like the Glades County Detention Center that have long histories of abuse allegations. His case highlights the human toll of the Trump administration's expansion of immigration detention and the need for greater accountability and oversight in these facilities.