Mexico Plans Criminal Complaints Over Migrant Deaths in US Custody

Mexico's Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez announced on Thursday that the country plans to submit criminal complaints in the United States concerning the deaths of Mexican citizens while detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

Velasco Álvarez stated that Mexico will bypass the diplomatic channels previously used and directly file complaints with US prosecutors, urging them to investigate these incidents as criminal matters, according to Axios.

He also mentioned his intention to request an investigation by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which handles complaints related to human rights violations across 34 countries in the Americas, including the United States.

Mexico had earlier lodged diplomatic complaints about these deaths, but resorting to the US judicial system is expected to increase pressure on the administration of President Donald Trump amid ongoing scrutiny by foreign governments and human rights organizations over deaths occurring in ICE custody.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the situation during a press conference on Thursday morning, stating, "We will do everything we can."

She added, "What we cannot do is ignore the Mexicans who died during operations carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency or those detained in detention centers... That is why we are pushing for further action."

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a long-time resident of Houston, was fatally shot by ICE agents early Tuesday morning following an attempt by officials to arrest him as part of a "targeted enforcement operation," according to the federal agency.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated in a release that Araujo "used his vehicle as a weapon" in an attempt to "run over" an ICE enforcement officer and later died at a local hospital.

DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are conducting investigations into the incident, while community leaders have called for an independent and transparent inquiry.

Mexico has sent 11 formal diplomatic protest notes to the United States demanding explanations for the deaths of Mexican nationals, as outlined in a presentation by Velasco Álvarez to reporters.

The presentation highlighted a recent statement by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who called for "prompt, independent, impartial, and effective investigations into all deaths occurring in ICE custody," describing the number of deaths as "concerning."

According to data from the Detention Watch Network, 14 Mexican nationals have died while in ICE custody since President Trump resumed office, with an additional three deaths occurring during enforcement operations.

More broadly, 19 migrants died in ICE custody in 2026, compared to 31 deaths the previous year, based on monitoring data compiled by the network.

ICE reported a total of 26 deaths during the tenure of former President Joe Biden.

In contrast, a Department of Homeland Security official told Axios via email that "there has been no sudden increase in the number of deaths."

The official added, "Consistent with data recorded over the past decade, as of May 29, the death rate in custody during the Trump administration was 0.008% of the total detainee population."

He further stated, "With increased detention capacity, we have maintained a level of care higher than most prisons holding US citizens, including providing appropriate medical care."