A 44-year-old Ukrainian national in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has died at a Miami hospital. Maksym Chernyak was pronounced deceased at HCA Kendall Hospital on February 20th, 2025.
Chernyak had been hospitalized since February 18th after experiencing vomiting and seizure activity while detained at the Krome Service and Processing Center. According to a hospital physician, the preliminary cause of death is bleeding from the brain.
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Chernyak entered the United States in August 2024 under the Ukrainian Humanitarian Parole program, which allowed him to remain in the country until August 2026. He was taken into ICE custody in January following an arrest for battery with bodily harm in Broward County.
After being transferred to ICE custody, Chernyak was transported to Krome Service and Processing Center. He was hospitalized on February 18th due to vomiting and seizures. Medical staff determined he had suffered a brain hemorrhage and, despite medical intervention, initiated brain death protocol on February 19th.
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ICE has notified relevant authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, about Chernyak’s death. His attorney has also been notified, as he had no listed next of kin.
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