Lee este artículo en español
Mexico is seeking a criminal investigation from the United States in connection with the deaths of 17 Mexicans in immigration operations during President Donald Trump’s second term.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco announced Thursday: “We will go beyond diplomacy and go directly to the U.S. prosecutor’s office to complain about these events and request a criminal investigation into what happened.”
Of the 17 Mexican immigrants who died, 14 were in ICE custody and three died in operations conducted by ICE, Velasco said.
Mexico also plans to send cease-and-desist letters to private companies that run U.S. detention centers where Mexican deaths have been recorded. Velasco said the letter “is a legal mechanism for filing a civil lawsuit.”
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to CNN that all immigrant detainees receive full due process and appropriate care, and that ICE officers are “trained to use the least amount of force necessary.” CNN also asked the U.S. Department of Justice for comment on Mexico’s plans.
Today’s announcement marks a new strategy for the Mexican government, which has already issued 11 diplomatic notes to the United States protesting the death toll. Velasco said the U.S. has so far responded that the investigation is ongoing.
Immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was the latest Mexican to die in an immigration-related incident. The 52-year-old was shot and killed Tuesday by an ICE officer during a traffic stop. U.S. authorities said the suspect resisted arrest and tried to run over the officer, who then shot him “in self-defense.”
Salgado Araujo’s relatives describe him as a hard-working man who has lived in the United States for nearly 35 years. He said he became frightened when he saw an unmarked vehicle following him.
Two days after his death, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday said her government had decided to escalate the issue in the wake of what it deemed a “murder” and “human rights violations.”
“We cannot ignore the Mexicans who have died during ICE operations or who have been detained in detention centers operated by private companies contracted by ICE,” she declared.
Velasco said Mexico also plans to appeal to international authorities and submit a request to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the UN human rights chief.
