SouthernWorldwide.com – Mexico has declared its intention to pursue significant legal actions against the United States following the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by ICE in Texas.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that Mexico will take “significant legal measures” against the U.S. after an ICE operation resulted in the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican citizen who had resided in the U.S. for many years.
This incident adds to the 17 cases of Mexican nationals who have reportedly died while in U.S. immigration custody, according to Mexican officials.
Department of Homeland Security officials claim that Araujo was the target of an ICE arrest operation. They allege that an agent fired his weapon in self-defense after Araujo ignored commands and attempted to drive his vehicle towards the agent.
During her daily press briefing, “Mañanera del Pueblo,” in Mexico City, President Sheinbaum outlined her administration’s plan to escalate objections regarding the conduct of U.S. immigration enforcement.
“Our objective is to move beyond diplomatic notes and the representations we have made to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. We cannot tolerate the mistreatment of our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, in the United States. Therefore, we are proposing further measures,” Sheinbaum announced.
She confirmed that the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs would present these proposed measures to Washington and elaborated on the circumstances surrounding Araujo’s death.
“This occurred within the context of detention, even though their only offense was lacking documentation—and this despite having been hired by a U.S. company.”
She argued that the U.S. has no justification for detaining individuals like Araujo or subjecting them to alleged violence.
“We are therefore preparing, obviously, more significant legal measures.”
On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco stated that he is requesting criminal charges be filed in relation to the 17 Mexican nationals who have died in U.S. custody. These requests are reportedly being sent to the Department of Justice and various state attorneys general.
However, multiple reports suggest that Sheinbaum’s demands may not have any legal standing in U.S. courts.
Mexico City claims that 14 of the 17 deaths occurred while individuals were in custody, and three were killed during active Department of Homeland Security operations.
Araujo, aged 52, was reportedly transporting workers for a homebuilding company in the Magnolia Park area of Houston at the time of the incident.
The lack of body cameras on the agents present at the scene has drawn criticism and raised questions about the official account of the events.
A spokesperson for ICE stated that the process of acquiring and distributing body-worn cameras to all ICE field offices was delayed by government shutdowns. While over half of the field offices have received them, the remaining offices are expected to receive them within the next 60 days. The spokesperson also noted a significant increase in assaults against agents during the same period.
Meanwhile, the advocacy group Voto Latino has condemned the incident involving Araujo, asserting that he should still be alive.
“His story is the embodiment of what it means to seek the American Dream—the same dream that drives so many of us to call this nation home. Lorenzo called the United States home for nearly 35 years, and his family deserves immediate answers that come from a completely independent process, not from the very agency that upended their lives,” said Beatriz Lopez, executive director of Voto Latino, in a statement that also called for the resignation of Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
When asked about President Sheinbaum’s warning, an ICE spokesperson defended the agency and reiterated its account of the events, which depicts Araujo as attempting to strike an agent with his vehicle.
“[He] refused to follow multiple verbal commands and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer, resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense,” the spokesperson stated.
“The DHS-OIG is leading an investigation into the agent-involved shooting. The FBI Houston is leading an investigation into the potential assault on a federal law enforcement officer. This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available.”
