ICE shooting of construction worker in Texas marks tenth fatal encounter under Trump administration
A 52-year-old construction worker was killed by ICE officers during a targeted enforcement operation in Texas, bringing the total number of fatal shootings by federal immigration officials to ten since President Trump began his second term.
A Texas immigration enforcement operation on Tuesday resulted in the death of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers after they attempted to stop his vehicle. Salgado, who was on his way to a construction site with three co-workers, was killed and the other men were arrested, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The incident is the tenth fatal shooting involving ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents since the start of President Donald Trump’s second administration, a review of public reports by the Guardian found. DHS officials said Salgado “weaponized” his van during the stop, a claim that family members and civil-rights groups have disputed and have called for an independent investigation.
“He did not deserve to die,” said Ronaldo Salgado, the victim’s son, at a press conference.
Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights have reported that 52 people died in ICE custody during the first 500 days of the administration, while the United Nations high commissioner for human rights has warned of rising deaths in U.S. immigration detention.
Advocacy groups argue that the administration’s immigration policies have increased the risk of lethal encounters. Jesse Franzblau, associate director of policy at the National Immigrant Justice Center, said the number of deaths in ICE detention has risen sharply this year.
Congressional representatives, including Sylvia Garcia and Texas state Rep. James Talarico, have urged a transparent, independent investigation into Salgado’s shooting, citing past incidents where official statements were later contradicted by video evidence.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, who leads a coalition of district attorneys seeking accountability for federal law-enforcement actions, said any fatal use of force by federal agents should be investigated for possible criminal conduct, noting that the federal government has not undertaken such reviews.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire reiterated that the city lacks jurisdiction over federal law-enforcement matters but emphasized the need for a transparent investigation by federal authorities.