The name of Royer Pérez Jiménez has become the new standard bearer in the fight for the rights of migrants in the United States. The Government of Mexico, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), issued a strong condemnation after confirming Royer’s death while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state of Florida.
For Mexico, the situation has reached a breaking point: “These deaths are unacceptable,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement that is already echoing in Washington offices.
The scene of the tragedy: Glades County
Royer Pérez Jiménez was being held at the Glades County Detention Center, a facility constantly embroiled in controversy over its conditions of confinement.
Although the center is administered by the county, it has a direct agreement with ICE to hold immigration detainees.
Following the death, the Consulate General of Mexico in Miami immediately activated assistance protocols, visiting the prison and demanding full access to medical reports and documentation necessary to understand what led to Royer’s death.
The face of tragedy: Who was Royer Pérez Jiménez?
Behind the cold ICE communiqué and the Foreign Ministry’s figures, there is a heartbreaking story: that of a young man, barely 24 years old, originally from Chiapas, Mexico.
Royer Pérez Jiménez was not a criminal; he was a son and a brother who, like thousands of others, crossed the border with a suitcase full of dreams and the goal of helping his parents in southern Mexico.
Those close to him describe him as a vital and hardworking young man, whose last communication with his family was marked by fear.
According to testimonies that have begun to circulate in networks, Royer had reportedly expressed feeling unwell days before his death, an alert that was apparently ignored by the staff of the Glades County Detention Center.
A frightening figure: 10 deaths in one year
Royer’s death is not an isolated event.
According to official SRE records, between January and October 2025, 10 Mexican nationals have lost their lives in ICE custody or during immigration operations.
This spate of fatalities has led Mexico to actively urge the U.S. federal government to review detention conditions.
“We demand a prompt and thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances, determine responsibilities and establish effective guarantees of non-repetition,” the official statement said.
While U.S. authorities claim that the case is “under investigation,” Mexico has promised to use all diplomatic and legal avenues to ensure that the family of Royer Perez Jimenez is not left in distress.
The consulate continues to take steps to provide support and ensure that this name does not become just another statistic in the immigration system.
