49-year-old man was being detained ‘pending removal proceedings,’ according to ICE news release.

A Canadian citizen died while in custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this week, the agency says.

Johnny Noviello, 49, died in a detention centre in Florida on Monday, an ICE news release says.

The cause of death is unknown and is under investigation, according to the release.

Despite having Canadian citizenship, Noviello had been in the U.S. since 1988 and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991, the release says.

ICE agents arrested Noviello in May and he was being detained “pending removal proceedings,” the agency’s news release said.

The news release said the Canadian consulate had been notified. CBC News has reached out to Global Affairs Canada for comment.

Noviello’s death comes as ICE agents have been making sweeping arrests across the United States.