Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will pursue "significant legal measures" against the United States after a Mexican national was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an operation in Houston, Texas. The incident, which occurred during an ICE arrest operation, has intensified diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
DHS officials stated that the individual, identified as Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was shot in self-defense after allegedly ignoring orders and attempting to ram the agent with his vehicle. Araujo, an undocumented migrant who had lived in the U.S. for decades, was reportedly transporting workers for a homebuilding company at the time of the incident.
Sheinbaum criticized the circumstances surrounding the death, emphasizing that Araujo's only offense was lacking documentation. "We cannot tolerate the mistreatment of our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, in the United States. So, we are proposing further measures," Sheinbaum stated during her daily press availability. She indicated that the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs would present these measures to Washington.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco also confirmed that Mexico is requesting criminal charges be brought in connection with the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals in U.S. custody, a figure that includes those who died during ICE operations and those who died while in U.S. immigration detention. These requests are reportedly being sent to the Justice Department and various state attorneys general.
Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of body cameras on the ICE agents involved in the shooting. A DHS spokesperson explained that the procurement and deployment of body-worn cameras were interrupted by government shutdowns. The spokesperson added that while body cameras have been issued to more than half of ICE field offices, the remaining offices are expected to receive them within the next 60 days. The agency also noted a significant increase in assaults against agents during the same period.
An ICE spokesperson defended the agency's actions, reiterating that the agent fired his weapon in self-defense after Araujo allegedly attempted to run him over. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General is leading an investigation into the shooting, while the FBI's Houston field office is investigating the potential assault on a federal law enforcement officer.
Advocacy group Voto Latino condemned the incident, with its executive director stating that Araujo's family deserves immediate answers from an independent process. The group also called for the resignation of Secretary Markwayne Mullin.