Mexico to File Criminal Complaints in US Over Deaths of Mexican Nationals in ICE Custody

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday, June 8, that her government intends to file criminal complaints in the United States concerning the deaths of Mexican citizens while in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities or during immigration enforcement operations. The Mexican government reported that a total of fourteen Mexican citizens died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, and an additional three died during arrest operations conducted by the agency. President Sheinbaum stated that these criminal complaints aim to hold accountable those found guilty of homicides or human rights violations, emphasizing that Mexico cannot ignore the deaths of its citizens. She reiterated her government's commitment to assisting all citizens requesting aid, particularly those whose only offense is working honestly in the United States. This announcement marks a significantly stronger condemnation from Mexico, following previous expressions of concern, as relations with the U.S. continue to strain. Mexico's Foreign Minister, Roberto Velasco, explained that this action follows repeated unsuccessful attempts to engage in dialogue through diplomatic channels. Velasco stated that Mexico will move beyond diplomatic avenues to directly approach U.S. prosecutors with complaints about these incidents, urging their investigation as criminal cases. Furthermore, the Mexican government plans to initiate civil lawsuits against private companies operating immigrant detention centers in the U.S. This development comes shortly after an ICE agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican national, on Tuesday, June 7. Araujo, who had been living in the U.S. illegally for thirty years, was shot during an immigration enforcement operation in Houston, an incident that sparked protests and raised the number of individuals killed by gunfire during such operations to at least six since January 2025. The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.