Mexico’s Response To Fatal ICE Shooting Takes Unexpected Turn

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised Thursday to pursue “legal measures” against the United States following the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by an ICE agent in Houston, saying her government “cannot permit the mistreatment of our brothers” living in the U.S. 

She said Mexico’s response would “go beyond” a diplomatic protest, saying officials “are preparing measures” over the shooting and the deaths of other Mexican nationals while in ICE custody.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died,” Sheinbaum said, adding, “Especially to Mexicans whose only crime is working honestly in the United States.”

Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said the Mexican government will be requesting that the incidents be investigated as criminal matters. Velasco added that the government will also file civil lawsuits against private companies operating in the immigration detention centers in the United States.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction worker and father of three, was shot and killed Tuesday during an encounter with ICE agents in Houston after picking up members of his work crew.

Araujo’s family told CNN they believe he would have complied with federal agents had the unmarked car they were in been clearly identified as law enforcement. 

The Department of Homeland Security disputed that account, telling The Daily Wire that Araujo “attempted to evade arrest” and “weaponized his vehicle” by attempting to run over an ICE agent, who fired in self-defense.

Araujo was reportedly shot on the right side of his body. He had resided in the United States without legal status for roughly 35 years. 

The family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo is calling for an independent investigation after Araujo, a Mexican national who the family says has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years, was shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Houston on Tuesday. More:… pic.twitter.com/eGij94wYSz

— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) July 9, 2026

The shooting sparked protests in Houston, where demonstrators called for an independent investigation.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Thursday that the ICE agents involved were not wearing body cameras.

More than a thousand protesters chanting ‘ICE out of Houston’ marched near the spot where a US ICE officer fatally shot a man driving to work, the latest in a spate of lethal encounters from increasing deportation raids nationwide https://t.co/bkQqeJQuuY pic.twitter.com/GApbuTXDoj

— Reuters (@Reuters) July 9, 2026