MEXICO CITY—Mexico will seek criminal charges in the United States over the fatal shooting of a longtime Houston resident by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, escalating diplomatic pressure over the treatment of Mexican nationals during immigration enforcement operations, Mexican officials said.
The case centers on the July 7 shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who had lived in the Houston area for decades. ICE said an agent opened fire after Salgado Araujo allegedly attempted to use his vehicle to strike a federal officer during a targeted enforcement operation. Family members, attorneys and eyewitnesses have disputed that account, saying agents did not clearly identify themselves and challenging the agency's description of the encounter.
Mexican officials said they will ask U.S. state prosecutors and the U.S. Department of Justice to consider criminal charges where appropriate in connection with the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens who have died in ICE custody or during immigration enforcement actions since President Donald Trump's second term began. The request itself does not compel U.S. authorities to bring charges but marks a significant diplomatic step by Mexico. Officials also said civil lawsuits would be pursued against companies operating detention facilities in cases involving alleged rights violations.
Mexico has also appealed to international human rights bodies to examine the treatment of its citizens during U.S. immigration enforcement, according to Mexican officials.
The Houston shooting remains under multiple investigations, including reviews by the FBI, the Texas Rangers and the Harris County District Attorney's Office. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General is also examining the incident.
The case has drawn additional scrutiny after reports that ICE agents involved were not equipped with body-worn cameras. Democratic lawmakers have called for greater transparency, mandatory body cameras and clearer identification of federal immigration officers following the Houston shooting and another fatal ICE shooting in Maine. Homeland Security has said it is expanding training and supports broader deployment of body cameras.
Attorneys representing Salgado Araujo's family have also raised concerns that key eyewitnesses held in immigration detention could be deported before investigators obtain their testimony. A court filing seeks the release of one witness while the investigations continue.
