A federal judge has ordered the release of Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a witness to the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by federal immigration officers during a traffic stop in Houston. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison issued the order Monday, demanding Rojas Pliego be released from the Montgomery ICE Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, within 48 hours.
Rojas Pliego was a passenger in the vehicle on July 7 when immigration officers stopped it. During the stop, ICE officers fired shots, killing the driver, Salgado Araujo. Rojas Pliego has been in custody since the incident without an individualized bond determination.
"Given the severity of this ongoing unconstitutional deprivation of Petitioner’s liberty, the Court concludes that immediate release from custody is required," Judge Ellison wrote in his order.
ICE stated that Salgado Araujo "weaponized his vehicle" and attempted to run over an officer, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense. The driver was struck and later died from his injuries at a hospital.
Rojas Pliego has resided in the U.S. since 1996 and has U.S. citizen children. His habeas petition indicates he has no criminal record.