Leaders advocating for migrant rights, civil rights defenders, and representatives from local, state, and federal government joined forces to demand an independent investigation into the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican migrant who died on Tuesday after being shot by an ICE agent during an operation.
His children lamented his death and said that their father came to the United States to work, generate jobs and support his family. They also noted that he was about to obtain legal residency in the country.
According to the official version, when Salgado Araujo was intercepted for inspection and potential detention, the situation spiraled out of control. The agent, whose identity has not been revealed, stated that he fired because he feared for his life, claiming that the migrant tried to evade arrest and struck at him with his vehicle. Salgado Araujo was transported to a hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
On Wednesday morning, his children held a press conference accompanied by state representatives, civil rights activists, and leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). There they expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their father, describing him as a hardworking man, a good husband and father, and also a businessman in the construction industry and a job creator.
“I want the world to know,” said Ronaldo Salgado, the migrant’s son.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 53, arrived in the United States 35 years ago. Together with his wife, María, he formed a family and devoted his life to work in the construction industry. Their three children are U.S. citizens: the eldest is a teacher, another is an engineer, and the youngest is preparing to enter college to study engineering.
On Tuesday morning, Salgado Araujo went to the Magnolia neighborhood, home mostly to Hispanic families, to pick up his workers and start the workday. It was there that he encountered immigration agents, an encounter that ended in his death.
His son stated that his father was in the process of obtaining a work permit and permanent residency. He even said that he had already received a notice informing him that his employment authorization was about to be issued.
For its part, LULAC leaders are demanding an independent investigation, in addition to the one already underway by the FBI.
The organization even offers a $5,000 reward to neighbors or people who have videos or who witnessed the events, with the aim of gathering more evidence for a complete and transparent investigation.
Community leaders asked ICE that its agents do not use excessive force during operations, clearly identify themselves, and stop carrying out actions in unmarked vehicles or with their faces covered.
The victim’s son said that neither the FBI nor any other federal agency has contacted the family. He also mourned the tragedy and stated that his father knew exactly what to do in case of an encounter with immigration authorities.
According to his testimony, Lorenzo Salgado would have stopped if the agents had identified themselves as immigration officers and had used an official vehicle.
Congresswoman Sylvia García noted that, apparently, the Department of Homeland Security publicly disclosed the victim’s identity before formally notifying his family, which she said goes against the usual protocol.
For his part, the mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, simply stated that Houston Police Department officers did not participate in the operation.
“We are following this very closely. We are in constant contact with our elected federal representatives, insisting that a transparent and independent investigation be carried out. If I receive new information, I will undoubtedly share it with the council. We are in contact with LULAC and with community leaders,” Whitmire said at the city council’s weekly meeting.
The community leaders also referred to the case of Renee Good, who died from gunshots by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last January. In that case, authorities initially stated that the agents acted in self-defense; however, according to community representatives, video evidence would not show that the agents had been in imminent danger during that incident.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo condemned the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and promised that legal measures would be taken to demand justice, transparency, and a thorough investigation.
