MEXICO CITY, July 09, Brussels Morning Newspaper – The government of Mexico plans to file criminal complaints in the United States concerning Mexican citizens who died while in immigration custody or during anti-immigration operations, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday. The Mexican government reports that 14 Mexican nationals have died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with an additional three individuals killed during arrest operations conducted by the agency.
The announcement follows the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican national who lived in the U.S. for three decades before being shot by an ICE agent on Tuesday. His death, which triggered public protests in Houston, brought the total number of people shot during immigration enforcement operations to at least six since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025 and initiated a campaign of mass deportations.
President Sheinbaum emphasized the necessity of addressing these fatalities through the legal system. She stated that the government intends to pursue accountability for those involved in alleged homicides or human rights violations.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died”
Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference.
Sheinbaum noted that while her administration provides assistance to all citizens who request it, the focus remains on supporting those who are working in the U.S. This development signals a significant shift in tone from the Mexican government, reflecting deteriorating relations between the two neighboring countries.
In response to a request for comment, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security maintained that the rate of detainee deaths has not increased under the current administration. The department asserted that all individuals in custody receive full due process and are provided with necessary medical treatment, meals, water, and access to legal counsel and family communication. The U.S. Department of Justice did not provide a comment regarding the pending legal actions.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco stated that the decision to pursue criminal complaints follows numerous unsuccessful attempts to resolve these issues through standard diplomatic channels. The government is now shifting its strategy to engage directly with U.S. prosecutors to ensure these incidents are treated as criminal matters.
Furthermore, the Mexican government plans to initiate civil lawsuits against private companies responsible for managing immigration detention centers in the United States. This dual approach targeting both individual agents and private operators represents an escalation in Mexico’s efforts to challenge current U.S. immigration enforcement practices.
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