The Decibel Toddlers among Canadians detained by ICE
Aug 18, 2025
Catherine Blaise Baum, an investigative reporter for The Globe and Mail, unveils the shocking reality of nearly 150 Canadians detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She shares heartbreaking stories, including the plight of toddlers in inhumane conditions. Conversations also include the implications of these detentions, a critical look at Canada’s insufficient governmental response, and the troubling treatment of detainees within U.S. facilities. Baum's insights reveal a pressing need for action and greater transparency.
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Canadian Detainee's Death In ICE Custody
- Johnny Noviello, a 49-year-old Canadian, was detained at the Federal Detention Center Miami after drug convictions and was later found unresponsive and pronounced dead.
- His case personifies how Canadian citizens with criminal convictions can be swept into ICE custody and face severe outcomes.
ICE Database Enables Case Reconstruction
- The reporters obtained an anonymized ICE database listing thousands of detention cases with unique IDs allowing individuals to be tracked through booking, transfers, and outcomes.
- This dataset enabled The Globe team to reconstruct detainee stories and quantify how many Canadians entered ICE custody.
Sharp Rise In Canadian Detentions
- The Globe's analysis found 149 Canadians held by ICE since January and 56 still in custody at the end of July.
- The pace in early 2025 is on track to roughly double last year's number, showing a marked enforcement increase under the administration.