Mexico wants criminal investigation after man killed by ICE in Houston
Mexico Pursues Criminal Charges Following Houston ICE Shooting
Sheinbaum Announces Expanded Legal Action
Mexico wants criminal investigation after man killed - Mexico is preparing to submit formal criminal complaints within the United States concerning nationals who have lost their lives while under the supervision of American federal immigration authorities or during enforcement operations. President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed this initiative on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic efforts to address these incidents.
Authorities in Mexico City disclosed that fourteen Mexican citizens have perished while detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, three more individuals were killed during active immigration enforcement missions, with the most recent case occurring within the current week.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died," Sheinbaum told reporters Thursday.
The Houston Shooting Incident
The announcement followed closely on the heels of a fatal shooting involving Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston. According to ICE, Salgado Araujo allegedly struck an ICE vehicle with his van, ignored several commands, and used his vehicle as a weapon by attempting to run over an officer.
Salgado Araujo's relatives are calling for a comprehensive and transparent examination of the circumstances surrounding his death. His son shared on Wednesday that his father had resided in the United States for thirty-five years and operated a construction business that has erected hundreds of residences in suburban Houston over three decades.
Officials confirmed that the husband and father of three possessed no criminal history when ICE initiated a targeted traffic stop against him earlier this week.
Broader Pattern of Concerns
Sheinbaum indicated that the tragic shooting of Salgado Araujo reflects a wider trend of how Mexican citizens are treated within the United States. Mexican authorities stated that the upcoming criminal complaints will surpass the nearly dozen diplomatic grievances already submitted by Mexican representatives to international human rights bodies.
The League of United Latin American Citizens observed on Thursday that ICE's explanation of the fatal shooting closely mirrored the agency's account following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during January.
"We are going to move beyond the diplomatic sphere and go directly to U.S. prosecutors to file complaints regarding these incidents, requesting that they are investigated as criminal matters," Velasco said.
Legal and Investigative Responses
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General has launched an internal probe into the Houston shooting. Meanwhile, the FBI is examining claims that a federal officer was assaulted during the incident.
President Sheinbaum emphasized that the criminal complaints aim to ensure accountability for ICE officers and officials responsible for deaths that occurred under U.S. government oversight.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco announced on Thursday that the Mexican government will also pursue civil litigation against private corporations, such as Geo Group and CoreCivic, which manage immigration detention facilities across the United States.
Velasco explained that Mexico intends to submit complaints to prosecutors in American states where Mexican nationals have died in cases connected to ICE, as well as to the Department of Justice. He stressed that the Houston shooting requires investigation with "absolute seriousness."
According to Velasco, a combined total of fifty-eight migrants from various countries have died in ICE detention centers throughout 2025 and 2026.
Government Position and Next Steps
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson informed NewsNation on Thursday that there has been no increase in detention-related fatalities. The spokesperson noted that all detainees receive complete due process and are supplied with adequate meals, water, medical care, and opportunities to contact family members and legal counsel.
Regarding interactions with migrants, the spokesperson explained that ICE law enforcement personnel are educated to employ the minimum force required to address hazardous situations, thereby prioritizing public and officer safety. Officers undergo extensive training in de-escalation techniques and participate in continuous use-of-force education.
The Department of Justice had not yet provided a response to NewsNation's inquiry about Mexico's planned actions.
Velasco characterized the protection of Mexican citizens' human rights as the foremost concern for his ministry, which explains why the nation is advancing legal measures against the United States.
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