ICE Agents Kill Mexican Immigrant in Houston; Mexico Eyes Legal Action
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced possible legal measures against U.S. ICE agents after a Mexican immigrant was fatally shot during an arrest attempt in Houston. Witnesses dispute the official account of the incident.
ICE Agents Kill Mexican Immigrant in Houston; Mexico Eyes Legal Action
A Mexican immigrant died from gunshot wounds after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents opened fire on a delivery van in Houston, prompting Mexico's government to consider legal action against the officers involved.
The shooting occurred early Tuesday morning as Salgado Araujo and three other Mexican nationals were heading to a construction site around 6:30 a.m. According to the three witnesses, who are now in immigration detention, unmarked vehicles intercepted their van. An agent exited and began firing almost immediately, striking Araujo in the abdomen. The injured man bled inside the vehicle while asking for help before dying later at Ben Taub Hospital, according to their account reported by 24ur.com.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offered a different version of events. Officials stated that ICE agents were attempting to arrest Araujo, who allegedly resisted, struck an agency vehicle with his van, and tried to run over a federal agent, prompting agents to shoot him.
All three passengers in the van independently rejected that narrative through their attorney, Hugo Balderas-Ibarra, who spoke to the Washington Post. The witnesses stated that no ICE agent was standing in front of the van at any point and that Araujo never directed the vehicle toward officers or attempted to run anyone over.
Balderas-Ibarra said the three detained men have lived in the United States for more than two decades, have no criminal records, and have families including children who are U.S. citizens. He is seeking their release and demanding an independent investigation, asserting that the agents are not telling the truth about the circumstances of the shooting.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced at a press conference that her government is reviewing both diplomatic protests and judicial avenues to hold those responsible accountable. She stressed that Mexico cannot tolerate mistreatment of its citizens in the United States and noted that Araujo's only alleged offense was lacking legal immigration status while working for an American company.
U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat, said after speaking with ICE representatives that Araujo was not the original target of the enforcement operation. Araujo's family described him as a father of three and an entrepreneur who had lived in the United States for more than 30 years.
The case has renewed criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies and the use of force during enforcement operations.
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Vir: 24ur.com
Source: 24ur