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Mexico to request U.S. criminal charges over deaths of citizens in immigration operations

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Mexico will formally request U.S. prosecutors to file criminal charges over the deaths of more than a dozen Mexican citizens in U.S. immigration operations or custody.
  • President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the move, citing the recent death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and stating Mexico must not remain silent on human rights violations.
  • The action represents Mexico's strongest response yet to deaths linked to U.S. immigration policies, occurring amid tense bilateral relations and differing approaches to drug cartels and migration.

Mexico is escalating its response to the deaths of its citizens in U.S. immigration operations, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing formal requests for criminal charges to be filed in U.S. courts. The move follows the recent shooting death of Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Houston on July 7.

Sheinbaum stated that Salgado is the 17th Mexican citizen to die in such raids or in U.S. immigration custody since President Donald Trump took office. "This is not just a matter for the Mexican government," Sheinbaum declared, urging solidarity from all of Mexican society and emphasizing that the country "must raise our voices when there are human rights violations against our fellow citizens."

This is not just a matter for the Mexican government. I call on all political parties, everyone, all of Mexican society, to show solidarity with our fellow citizens in the United States. I don’t think anyone approves of this situation.

— Claudia SheinbaumDuring her daily press conference, President Sheinbaum addressed the need for solidarity and action regarding the deaths of Mexican citizens.

The government's decision marks its firmest action to date regarding deaths connected to Trump's immigration policies. Previous protests and letters of complaint to Washington have yielded no results. The situation unfolds against a backdrop of strained U.S.-Mexico relations, with Trump having previously used tariffs, withdrawn from a trade deal, and authorized CIA operations against Mexican drug cartels, placing Sheinbaum in a delicate diplomatic position.

Despite these pressures, Sheinbaum has maintained a stance of cooperation on drug trafficking and migration while asserting Mexican sovereignty. This balancing act has reportedly boosted her domestic approval rating to approximately 68 percent. The push for criminal charges underscores a growing demand for accountability and justice for Mexican nationals affected by U.S. immigration enforcement.

We must raise our voices when there are human rights violations against our fellow citizens.

— Claudia SheinbaumPresident Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico's stance on addressing human rights violations against its citizens in the U.S.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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