Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on July 9, 2026, that her government will pursue legal measures against the United States in response to the fatal shooting of a Mexican national by an ICE agent in Houston. Sheinbaum stated that the government's response would extend beyond a diplomatic protest, indicating that officials are preparing measures related to the shooting and the deaths of other Mexican nationals in ICE custody.
Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco confirmed that Mexico will request an investigation into the incident as a criminal matter and will file civil lawsuits against private companies operating immigration detention centers in the U.S.
The shooting victim, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction worker, was killed during an encounter with ICE agents after picking up members of his work crew. His family expressed that they believe he would have complied with federal agents if the unmarked vehicle had been clearly identified as law enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security disputed this account, stating that Araujo attempted to evade arrest and used his vehicle in a threatening manner, prompting the agent to fire in self-defense. Araujo had lived in the U.S. without legal status for approximately 35 years.
The incident has led to protests in Houston, with demonstrators calling for an independent investigation. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the ICE agents involved were not wearing body cameras at the time of the incident.