Mexican president condemns deaths of migrants in US custody

(FILES) Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum looks on during her daily press conference at the Women's Oncology Hospital in Mexico City on March 9, 2026. Sheinbaum condemned on March 20, 2026 the recent death of migrants in US custody. Mexico had reported the death of another of its citizens in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 19, 2026, describing such deaths as “unacceptable” in the context of the anti-immigration policy pursued by President Donald Trump.

(Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)

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March 20, 2026

Mexican president condemns deaths of migrants in US custody

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP)—Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday condemned the deaths of three Mexican nationals after they were taken into custody by US immigration authorities this year.

“This can’t be happening,” Sheinbaum told reporters, referring to the death of a 19-year-old at a detention center in Florida on Monday and two others who died earlier this year.

“The report says the young man killed himself,” Sheinbaum said. “Nonetheless, we want a full investigation.”

Royer Perez Jimenez was reported dead by US Immigration and Customs (ICE) at Glades County Detention Center in Florida. The cause of death was “presumed suicide” but remained under investigation, ICE said.

Other Mexicans reported dying while caught in President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration included a 48-year-old man in California in March and a 34-year-old in Georgia in January.

The Mexican government said Thursday that “these deaths are becoming unacceptable” and that officials “won’t hold back in using available legal and diplomatic tools to defend the rights” of Mexicans abroad.

“We’re going to use all measures to make our protests and support the family in everything they need,” Sheinbaum said.

At least 30 migrants died in US detention centers last year, the highest number since 2004, a year after the creation of ICE.

Trump has promised the most extensive deportation program for undocumented migrants in US history and ICE has been at the forefront of often violent raids across US cities.