Cuban man dies in ICE custody in Miami in presumed suicide, officials say

A Cuban man died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Miami, officials said Friday.

Aled Damien Carbonell-Betancourt, 27, was found in his cell Sunday morning by a Federal Detention Center officer in what appeared to be a suicide attempt, ICE officials said.

Staffers began giving him CPR and Miami Fire Rescue responded but he was pronounced dead a short time later, officials said.

Carbonell-Betancourt initially entered the U.S. on Oct. 30, 2024, was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, issued a Notice to Appear as an immigrant without valid documents, and released on parole.

He was later arrested for resisting an officer with violence and transferred to ICE custody On Feb. 11 of this year, officials said.

Immigration removal proceedings were pending.

Although he died of a presumed suicide, his official cause of death is still being investigated, officials said.

ICE officials said the Cuban Embassy and next of kin were notified of his death.

“ICE is committed to ensuring that all those in custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout their stay,” ICE said in a statement. “All people in ICE custody receive medical, dental, and mental health intake screenings within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility; a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arriving at a facility; access to medical appointments; and 24-hour emergency care. At no time during detention is a detained noncitizen denied emergency care.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.