Mexico City [Mexico], July 10: Mexico will pursue legal action in the United States following the deaths of several Mexican nationals during operations by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the government said on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said three Mexican migrants have died during ICE deportation raids, while a further 14 have died in immigration detention centres.
Describing the deaths as a "painful tragedy," Velasco said President Claudia Sheinbaum has instructed the government to respond not only through diplomatic channels but also by taking legal action.
Mexico plans to file criminal complaints with prosecutors in the individual states concerned as well as with the US Department of Justice, Velasco said. In addition, the government intends to bring civil lawsuits against the private companies that operate ICE detention facilities.
The latest case to draw attention on both sides of the border involved Mexican national and father of three Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot dead during an ICE operation in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday.
"This incident must be investigated with the utmost seriousness," Velasco said.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, Salgado ignored officers' commands, rammed a law enforcement vehicle with his car and then attempted to strike an officer with the vehicle, prompting an ICE agent to open fire.
Salgado's family, civil rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers have called for an independent investigation into the shooting.
Source: Qatar Tribune