Mexico Demands Justice with 20 Complaints Against ICE in U.S.

The Mexican Government launched a legal and diplomatic offensive in the United States to demand justice following the death of 17 of its citizens who were in the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) reported that it filed 20 complaints with state and local prosecutors to clarify the deaths that have occurred since May.

Mexican actions respond to growing concern about the conditions under which U.S. immigration authorities operate. President Claudia Sheinbaum recently announced these measures after documenting multiple incidents in operations or within ICE detention centers.

Where Were the Complaints Filed?

Mexico’s ambassador to the United States, Roberto Lazzeri, was in charge of filing the 20 complaints on July 13. Additionally, the legal resources were distributed among eight state prosecutors and twelve county prosecutors. These covered key territories for migration such as Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas.

A day later, the diplomatic representation sent to the U.S. Department of Justice a formal request prepared by the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic (FGR). This document, submitted through the State Department, aims to open federal investigations into the 17 documented cases. Additionally, it seeks to compel authorities to keep Mexico informed of progress.

In parallel, Ambassador Lazzeri held meetings with officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. In those encounters, he expressed Mexico’s concern about overcrowding conditions and treatment in the facilities, including those administered by private companies.

What Happened to Lorenzo Salgado Araujo?

Tension between the two countries increased significantly in July following the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52 years old. The Mexican-born construction worker was shot by an ICE agent on July 7 in Houston, Texas. Additionally, the incident occurred as he was heading to work.

According to ICE’s initial account, Salgado Araujo attempted to evade arrest during a migration operation, struck a police vehicle, and attempted to run over an agent, who fired in self-defense. However, DHS authorities later admitted that the Mexican was not the original target of the operation.

The case generated protests in Texas and forced the FBI to intervene, coordinating the investigation with local authorities. For Mexico, the death of Salgado Araujo added to the statistics of 17 nationals who died under ICE responsibility since May, becoming the central symbol of its current grievances.

What Is the Position of the United States and the UN?

Washington’s diplomatic response has been distant. Last Friday, the U.S. Government returned to Mexico the letters in which it expressed concern about the operations