Young Man’s Death Sparks Family Outcry Over ICE Detention

A sad funeral drew many people on Saturday for a 19‑year‑old Mexican man who died in an ICE detention center. The family says the charges that led to his arrest were made up. The man, named Royer Perez Jimenez, came from San Juan Chamula in Chiapas. He left Mexico at 15 to try for a better life and help his family. His uncle, Manuel Perez, described him as hardworking. In January the U. S. police stopped Royer. They said he tried to resist arrest and gave a fake name. Manuel says his uncle did not speak English well, so he was confused. He believes the accusations were false. After Royer died on March 16, ICE said he committed suicide. The official cause is still being investigated. Manuel says the death was likely a homicide, not suicide.ICE told reporters that when Royer arrived at the detention center in late February, doctors checked him. He answered “no” to all questions about suicide risk. In 2026, at least 14 migrants of different countries have died in ICE custody. In 2025, 31 people died while being held by the agency, a record for two decades. Fourteen of those were Mexican nationals since President Trump began his second term in January 2025. The number of people held by ICE has reached record highs. By early February, more than 68, 000 were in detention centers across the U. S. Even when considering how many people are held each year, 2025 had the highest death rate—5. 6 deaths per 10, 000 detainees—since 2020. The family wants a full investigation. They doubt that the man took his own life and want to know what really happened.