- Mexico plans legal action over deaths of citizens in US immigration operations
- Sheinbaum said those responsible for possible abuses must be held accountable
- The move comes amid rising tensions between Mexico and the US over immigration policies
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that her government will pursue criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths of Mexican citizens who died while in immigration detention or during enforcement operations.
Speaking on Thursday, Eko Hot Blog gathered that Sheinbaum said the action is aimed at ensuring accountability for alleged human rights violations and unlawful killings involving Mexican nationals.
EDITOR’S PICK
- UN Mobilizes Humanitarian Aid For Venezuela Following Twin Earthquakes
- Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, June 26, 2026
- Concerns As Repentant Boko Haram Members Allegedly Join Army Recruitment
According to the Mexican government, 14 citizens have died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while three others lost their lives during immigration enforcement operations.
The latest incident involved 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who had lived in the United States without legal status for about three decades. He was shot by an ICE agent on Tuesday, an incident that triggered protests in Houston.
Mexican authorities said the shooting brought the number of people killed during U.S. immigration enforcement operations since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025 to at least six.
Sheinbaum said Mexico could not remain silent over the deaths of its citizens, stressing that the planned legal action would seek to hold those responsible accountable for possible homicide or human rights abuses.
She added that her administration would continue to support all Mexican nationals abroad, particularly those who had travelled to the United States in search of employment.
The announcement marks a stronger response from Mexico as tensions between the two neighbouring countries continue to rise over immigration issues.
Responding to the development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said there had been no increase in detainee deaths under the current administration. The department also maintained that all detainees are afforded due process, medical care, food, water and access to legal counsel and family communication.
The U.S. Department of Justice had not issued an official response at the time of reporting.
Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Roberto Velasco, said the government decided to take legal action after repeated diplomatic engagements with U.S. authorities failed to produce satisfactory outcomes.
According to him, Mexico will submit criminal complaints directly to U.S. prosecutors, requesting investigations into the deaths as potential criminal cases.
Velasco also disclosed that the Mexican government plans to file civil lawsuits against private companies responsible for operating immigration detention facilities in the United States.
FURTHER READING
