Mexico President to Charge US Over Custody Deaths

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday that her administration will file criminal complaints in the United States against the Department of Justice over the deaths of Mexican nationals while in immigration custody or during anti‑immigration operations.

Deaths and incidents prompting legal action

Since the current immigration crackdown began, at least fourteen Mexican citizens have died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and three more have reportedly died during agency‑led arrest operations. The most recent case involved a 52‑year‑old Mexican national, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot by an ICE agent on Tuesday. Araujo had lived in the United States without legal status for three decades and was a longtime resident of Houston.

The shooting sparked protests in Houston and across Mexico, adding to a tally of six people shot dead in ICE operations since early 2025, when President Donald Trump returned to office and launched a campaign of mass deportations. Formal diplomatic protest letters have been sent to the U.S. government demanding a prompt and thorough investigation, and Mexico has already lodged a complaint with the Inter‑American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

Mexico’s escalation to criminal proceedings

In her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said, “We cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died. We cannot allow the mistreatment of our brothers and sisters who are in the United States—our fellow citizens. Therefore, we will propose other measures.” She added that the forthcoming criminal complaints will seek to hold accountable those deemed responsible for homicides or human‑rights violations, and that the government is ready to assist any Mexican citizen who requests help, especially those whose “only crime is working honestly in the United States.”

Foreign Secretary Robert Velasco indicated that Mexico will also ask the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, to demand protection for Mexican nationals in ICE custody. The move represents a marked escalation in criticism as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate.

Looking ahead, the complaints could deepen diplomatic tensions, but they also signal Mexico’s willingness to pursue accountability through both international bodies and domestic U.S. legal channels. If the United States chooses to engage with the criminal complaints, it may face pressure to review detention practices and provide greater transparency about ICE operations. Conversely, a lack of cooperation could prompt further actions from Mexico, including additional filings with the IACHR or other multilateral forums.