Mexico to press for criminal charges over deaths in US custody

July 9, 2026

The Mexican government has announced it will pursue criminal charges in the United States following the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens either while detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or during ICE arrest operations. The announcement came after Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old undocumented construction worker, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Houston during what authorities described as a targeted enforcement operation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum directed Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco to move beyond diplomatic complaints and file criminal complaints to ensure these deaths are investigated as criminal matters.

Who is affected

17 Mexican citizens who died in ICE custody or during ICE operations, including Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
Families of the deceased, including Ronaldo Salgado (Lorenzo's son)
Mexican government and President Claudia Sheinbaum
Houston community members (over 1,000 protesters)
Private companies managing US detention centers
ICE agents and the Department of Homeland Security
Four Democratic members of US Congress
US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti (previously killed by federal agents)

What action is being taken

The Mexican government is filing criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths
The Mexican government is launching civil cases against companies managing US detention centers
Four Democratic lawmakers have demanded a fully independent and transparent investigation into Salgado's death
More than a thousand people protested in Houston

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between Mexico and the United States, as Mexico moves from issuing diplomatic notes to pursuing criminal legal action. The deaths highlight ongoing concerns about the use of deadly force by ICE agents and the treatment of migrants in US custody, raising fundamental questions about human rights protections and accountability for federal law enforcement. The incidents have galvanized both international diplomatic response and domestic protests, suggesting broader dissatisfaction with immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the already-announced filing of criminal complaints and civil cases by the Mexican government.

Read full article from source: BBC