According to reports, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said on July 14 that it has begun filing criminal complaints with U.S. state prosecutors over the deaths of Mexican citizens in American detention centers and immigration enforcement operations.
The Foreign Ministry added in a statement that the Mexican government has sent cease-and-desist letters to U.S. detention centers where Mexican citizens have died.
Reports indicate that since the Trump administration ramped up immigration enforcement, a total of 17 Mexican citizens have died—14 while in detention and three during operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On July 7, ICE agents shot and killed Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during an operation in Houston, Texas.
ICE agents claimed Araujo ignored orders to stop, tried to flee, rammed an ICE vehicle with his car, and attempted to run over an agent, “forcing our officers to fire in self-defense.” But this account has been disputed by people who were with Araujo.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on July 13 that Araujo “was essentially murdered.” “This case has sparked outrage among all Mexicans. We can’t keep just sending diplomatic notes—they’ve achieved nothing,” she said.
Sheinbaum has repeatedly called on the U.S. to respect the human rights of Mexican citizens in America and has sent several diplomatic letters to Washington complaining about the deaths of migrants.