Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum Vows To Seek Criminal Charges Against ICE Agents in Deaths of Mexican Nationals

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico says her government will seek criminal charges in America over the deaths of Mexican citizens who died during immigration enforcement operations or while in custody.The threat of legal action comes after an ICE agent fatally shot a Mexican man who had been living in America illegally for three decades, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, after he allegedly tried to ram an officer at Houston. ICE said its officers were targeting him for deportation. Ms. Sheinbaum said during a press conference on Thursday, “We cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died.”The Mexican government, which has previously criticized the deaths of Mexican nationals, says that 14 Mexican citizens have died in ICE custody, and three others died during immigration enforcement operations. Ms. Sheinbaum said her government decided to “move beyond diplomatic channels” after the death of Salgado Araujo. She said the government will “do everything in our power, because we cannot stand silent” in the face of Mexicans being killed. Mexico’s foreign minister, Roberto Velasco, told reporters the government would also file civil lawsuits against companies that operate detention centers.The request for criminal charges, which carries no direct official weight, marks a significant escalation in tension between America and Mexico. The request for charges will be sent to the Justice Department and state prosecutors.The Department of Homeland Security says there has been no increase in the number of deaths of detainees, and maintains that “all detainees” are afforded due process, proper meals, water, and medical treatment. The Justice Department did not respond to the Sun’s request for comment by the time of publication. The shooting of Salgado Araujo sparked outrage and protests. New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, wrote on X that his city “stands with the Salgado family in demanding a full, independent investigation and real accountability.”“To the Salgado family and any immigrant family in this city living in fear: we grieve with you, and we will continue to stand beside you in the pursuit of justice,” Mr. Mamdani said, before adding, “Abolish ICE.”The League of United Latin American Citizens offered a $5,000 reward for information and videos concerning the shooting, and called for an independent investigation. The group said ICE has previously claimed that someone tried to run over one of its officers, only for the claim to be later disproven.The league pointed to the shooting of Marimar Martinez in October 2025. Ms. Martinez was shot five times and charged with a felony after DHS accused her of ramming an immigration officer’s car. However, the charges were dropped after video evidence showed that the agent steered his vehicle into Ms. Martinez’s car. Salgado Araujo’s son, Ronald Salgado, suggested that his father may have thought the ICE agents in unmarked cars were people trying to steal his tools. “He did not deserve to die. He did not deserve to be reduced to a headline of Mexican man shot and killed by ICE. He deserved to live a quiet life as Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a husband, a father and a job creator for dozens of men who also wanted the American dream,” Mr. Salgado said during a press conference. The Harris County District Attorney, Sean Teare, said that federal officials are handling the investigation.

Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum Vows To Seek Criminal Charges Against ICE Agents in Deaths of Mexican Nationals

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