Mexico Seeks U.S. Probe Into ICE Deaths of 17 Citizens
Mexico says it will pursue criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals linked to U.S. immigration enforcement during President Donald Trump’s second term, marking a significant escalation in the diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco announced on Thursday that the government will file complaints directly with U.S. prosecutors, seeking criminal investigations into the deaths.
“We are going to move beyond the diplomatic realm and go directly to the U.S. prosecutors’ offices to file complaints about these events, requesting a criminal investigation into what happened,” Velasco said.
According to the Mexican government, 14 of the deaths occurred while individuals were in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while three others happened during ICE enforcement operations.
In addition to the criminal complaints, Mexico plans to send cease-and-desist letters to private companies that operate immigration detention centers where Mexican nationals died. Officials say the legal notices could pave the way for civil action against the facilities.
The move represents a tougher stance after Mexico previously sent 11 diplomatic notes of protest to the United States regarding the deaths. According to Velasco, U.S. authorities have responded by stating that investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
The latest case fueling tensions is the death of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who was fatally shot by an ICE officer during a traffic stop in Houston earlier this week.
U.S. authorities say Salgado resisted arrest and attempted to run over an ICE officer with his vehicle, prompting the officer to open fire in what officials described as self-defense. However, Salgado’s family disputes that account, describing him as a hardworking construction worker who had lived in the United States for nearly 35 years and became frightened after noticing unmarked vehicles following him.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration considers the deaths to involve potential human rights violations and, in some cases, possible homicides.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died in ICE operations or who were detained in these detention centers operated by private companies contracted by ICE,” Sheinbaum said.
Mexico also plans to take the issue before international human rights bodies, including the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has defended ICE’s practices, saying immigrant detainees receive due process and appropriate care, and that officers are trained to use only the minimum force necessary. The U.S. Department of Justice has not yet publicly commented on Mexico’s planned legal action.
The complaints add a new legal dimension to growing concerns over immigration enforcement practices and could further strain relations between Mexico and the United States as investigations into the deaths continue.