Judge temporarily blocks officials from deporting witness of deadly ICE shooting

A federal judge in Texas has issued a temporary order preventing immigration authorities from deporting a key witness in the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ruled Monday that ICE cannot deport Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego without first obtaining the court's permission.

Rojas Pliego, who is currently facing deportation proceedings, was one of three construction workers inside the van driven by Salgado Araujo when he was shot and killed by an ICE officer on July 7 in Houston. Another witness in ICE custody is Salgado Araujo's brother. The judge's order also prohibits Rojas Pliego's transfer out of the Southern District of Texas without prior approval.

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U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison issued an order Monday blocking ICE from deporting Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego without first getting the judge's permission.

The shooting has intensified national debate surrounding President Trump's aggressive deportation policies. The Department of Homeland Security claims its agent acted in self-defense, asserting Salgado Araujo weaponized his work van during a traffic stop. However, Salgado Araujo's family disputes this account and is demanding an independent investigation.

Adding complexity, the FBI submitted an affidavit suggesting methamphetamine might have been in the van, a claim disputed by Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare. Teare's office is investigating the shooting and has submitted paperwork to help the witnesses obtain U visas, which protect victims who cooperate with investigations. Teare stated he is prepared to file charges against ICE agents if evidence of criminal wrongdoing emerges.

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He said he is "more than prepared" to file charges against immigration agents "if the case and the evidence directs us that criminal wrongdoing occurred."