The grieving family of Aled Damián Carbonell Betancourt, a 27-year-old Cuban who died on April 12 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds needed to return his remains to Cuba.
Christine Miscioscia, a relative by marriage, organized the campaign with a goal of $3,000. As of last Sunday, the campaign had gathered $1,700 from 39 contributors.
"Our hearts are shattered over the sudden loss of my husband's cousin, Aled Damian Carbonell Betancourt, who passed away at 27 while detained by ICE," Miscioscia shared on the fundraising platform.
The funds will cover the transfer of his body from the county medical examiner's office to a funeral home for cremation, the only feasible method to send his remains to Cuba.
"This is the only way we can return him to his parents, Yusmela Betancourt and Aled Carbonell, who are devastated by his passing and cannot be here in person," Miscioscia explained.
His parents, residing in Las Tunas, Cuba, are unable to travel to the United States, making cremation and sending the ashes the only viable option to receive their son's remains.
"The expenses are beyond what our family can manage alone, and each step is urgent and overwhelming," the campaign organizer added.
On Facebook, a relative named David Betancourt also posted a message of condolence last Monday, appealing for help: "With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Aled Damián Carbonell Betancourt. We are raising funds to send him to Cuba and cover his expenses. Any assistance or sharing of this message is appreciated."
According to ICE's official statement regarding the young man's death, an officer discovered Carbonell Betancourt unresponsive in his cell at 6:30 a.m. on April 12. He was pronounced dead at 7:31 a.m. after resuscitation efforts. The agency described the death as a "possible suicide," though the official cause is still under investigation, and it took five days to release the statement.
This incident is part of a concerning trend of Cuban deaths under ICE custody in 2026. Carbonell Betancourt was the second of three Cuban detainees to die this year: the first was 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos, whose death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation, contradicting ICE's account, and the third was 33-year-old Denny Adán González, found unconscious on April 28 in Georgia, with his mother demanding justice and a thorough investigation.
As of May 1, ICE confirmed at least 18 deaths in its custody this year. A study published in the medical journal JAMA on April 16 revealed that the mortality rate in ICE detention centers reached 88.9 deaths per 100,000 detainees in the fiscal year 2026, the highest level in 22 years. Cuban detentions by ICE surged 463% between October 2024 and late 2025, increasing from fewer than 200 per month to over 1,000, according to the Cato Institute.
Understanding the Impact of Cuban Deaths in ICE Custody
What are the main challenges faced by the family of Aled Damián Carbonell Betancourt?
The family faces financial burdens and logistical challenges in repatriating his remains to Cuba, as well as emotional distress due to their inability to be present in the U.S.
How does ICE describe the circumstances of Carbonell Betancourt's death?
ICE has labeled the death as a "possible suicide," though the official cause is still under investigation.
What is the broader context of Cuban deaths in ICE custody in 2026?
In 2026, there has been a disturbing pattern of Cuban deaths in ICE facilities, with three known cases, contributing to a broader trend of increased mortality rates in these centers.