Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction contractor, was shot by ICE officers in Houston on July 8, 2026. Salgado Araujo, who had been living in the U.S. without legal status for 35 years, was reportedly driving to pick up his brother and two other men for work when he encountered ICE officers seeking one of the passengers. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Salgado Araujo ignored commands to stop and collided with the officers' vehicles, prompting an officer to fire his weapon, resulting in Salgado Araujo being shot in the stomach. He later died at a hospital.
DHS stated that the officer acted in self-defense, claiming Salgado Araujo attempted to run over an officer. This incident marks the first fatal shooting by ICE since January 2026. An internal investigation by DHS and an FBI probe into the circumstances surrounding the shooting have been announced.
Immigration advocates and local officials have expressed skepticism regarding DHS's account of the events. They are calling for transparency and have offered rewards for video evidence of the incident. Officials noted that ICE's tactics have shifted recently, with more operations targeting individuals in vehicles rather than at residences due to changes in public awareness about legal rights.
ICE has seen an increase in arrests, averaging around 2,000 per day, nearly double the rate from earlier in the year. The agency has also doubled its number of deportation officers, but concerns have been raised about the adequacy of training for vehicle stops. The shooting incident is part of a broader discussion about ICE's use of force and operational tactics, especially in light of previous controversial incidents involving the agency.
Salgado Araujo's family stated that he was a dedicated father and worker, and they believe he panicked during the encounter with unmarked vehicles, thinking he was being assaulted. His sons, who are U.S. citizens, have been trying to help him obtain work authorization. They learned of their father's death through social media rather than official channels.