Democrats demand ICE release videos of operation that killed Mexican migrant

A group of Democratic congressmen has called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release complete, unedited video recordings of an operation in Houston that resulted in the death of Mexican migrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. The lawmakers are demanding accountability and transparency regarding the incident, which occurred during an immigration enforcement action.

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The family, the community, and the public deserve a complete and transparent explanation of what happened.

In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting ICE Director David J. Venturella, the legislators requested the release of footage from the agent's body camera, as well as recordings from all other agents present and from two vehicles involved. This demand is part of a broader effort to clarify Salgado's death, which took place in Magnolia Park, a predominantly Latino neighborhood.

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During the intervention, Salgado Araujo 'ignored the instructions' of the agents and tried to run them over with his vehicle.

The congressmen have given the DHS and ICE a 48-hour deadline to confirm that all evidence related to the shooting and the detention of three other men traveling with Salgado has been preserved. They also seek to know if the federal government will cooperate with state or local authorities and are calling for an "immediate, fully independent, and transparent" investigation.

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One of the agents shot 'in self-defense' and wounded the Mexican, who was taken to a local hospital, where he died.

The DHS confirmed it has opened an investigation into the shooting. According to the DHS, agents were attempting to detain Salgado due to his lack of legal immigration status. A DHS spokesperson stated that Salgado "ignored the agents' instructions" and attempted to run them over with his vehicle, prompting one agent to fire in self-defense. Salgado was transported to a hospital where he later died. His son, Roberto Salgado, recounted that his father was on his way to work with three construction sector colleagues when they were "surrounded" by unmarked vehicles.

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He was 'surrounded' by three unmarked vehicles.