Canadian who died in ICE custody lived a ‘simple life,’ his lawyer says
Johnny Noviello, a Canadian man who tragically died while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this week, was described by his lawyer as a “very polite, quiet, unassuming man with a very simple life” who did not pose a danger to anyone. Dan Leising, who represented Noviello, shared that his client had never violated the terms of his probation and had no prior criminal record. Despite being convicted of serious offences in 2023, including racketeering and drug trafficking, Noviello had been serving time in county jail and was out on probation when he was arrested by ICE in May.
Leising emphasized that Noviello was not someone to be feared, stating, “Is he violent or anybody that you’d be afraid of if you walked by them on the street? Absolutely not.” He also highlighted Noviello’s struggles with epilepsy and the family’s concerns about his access to necessary medication while in detention.
The cause of Noviello’s death remains unknown and is currently under investigation by ICE. Despite holding Canadian citizenship, Noviello had been living in the U.S. since 1988 and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed her condolences to Noviello’s family and stated that consular officials had been in touch with him as soon as they learned of his detention.
The tragic incident has sparked discussions about ICE’s crackdown on immigrants in the U.S. Lawyer and policy analyst Richard Kurland pointed out that individuals with criminal histories, such as Noviello, are considered a priority for removal under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Kurland also raised concerns about the risks faced by detainees in ICE custody, emphasizing the need for improved protocols for Canadian citizens detained in the U.S.
Noviello’s case is not an isolated incident, as several dozen Canadians are currently in immigration-related detention in the U.S. One such individual, Jasmine Mooney, was arrested and held for nearly two weeks before being released and returning to Canada. U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders highlighted the complexity of the detention system and the challenges faced by detainees seeking deportation.
In light of Noviello’s tragic death and the growing number of Canadians held by ICE, Kurland stressed the importance of negotiating a special protocol with the U.S. for Canadian detainees. This would help alleviate the hardships faced by individuals like Noviello and ensure better protection for Canadian citizens in the U.S. The need for improved protocols and transparency in ICE’s operations is crucial to prevent future tragedies like that of Johnny Noviello.
