The Mexican government is preparing to launch criminal complaints within the United States concerning the deaths of over a dozen Mexican nationals while in US custody. Roberto Velasco, the Foreign Minister, stated that the administration intends to pursue robust legal avenues to defend the human rights of its citizens. The government reports that 14 individuals died under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while three others perished during ICE apprehension efforts.
These events have triggered significant public dissent. In Houston, over a thousand demonstrators gathered following the fatal shooting of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent. Family members stated that Salgado, a long-term resident and builder, was commuting to his job when the encounter occurred. Conversely, the Department of Homeland Security claims the agent acted in self-defense, alleging that Salgado attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon to evade arrest.
Four Democratic members of the US Congress have formally requested an independent, transparent inquiry into the shooting. They criticized the official DHS narrative, suggesting a pattern of excessive force. President Claudia Sheinbaum has indicated that Mexico will move beyond standard diplomatic correspondence, instructing officials to seek criminal investigations and explore civil litigation against the private firms operating detention facilities where deaths have occurred.
