Immigration Law & Justice Network and Affiliate Justice for all Immigrants Decry Fatal ICE Shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

Immigration Law & Justice Network (ILJ Network) and its affiliate, Justice for all Immigrants (JFAI), are horrified by the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent just a few miles from JFAI’s Houston office.

Mr. Salgado Araujo had lived in the United States for 35 years. He was on his way to work, picking up members of his construction crew, when ICE agents stopped his vehicle. He later died from the gunshot wounds he sustained during the encounter. His death has deeply impacted the immigrant community in Houston and has raised serious concerns about the increasing use of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and the need for transparency and accountability.

“We are deeply concerned by the use of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and the harm they inflict on immigrant communities,” states Joy Green, Executive Director of JFAI. “No individual should have to live in fear of the government. Justice requires accountability as well as respect for the dignity of every person.”

“How many more people will die before ICE and this administration are held accountable for their reckless and violent mass deportation campaign?” asks Melissa Bowe, Co-Executive Director of ILJ Network. “This agency is turbo-charged with billions in funding and operates with zero guardrails. We have said it before, and we will say it again: ICE is a dangerous and rogue agency that must be abolished to protect human lives.”

Justice for all Immigrants and ILJ Network join community leaders and advocates in calling for a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Salgado Araujo’s death. 

*Note: This statement reflects information available at the time of publication. JFAI and ILJ Network continue to monitor developments and support calls for a full, transparent, and independent investigation.

Artwork credit: Gianluca Constantini