Mexico seeks DOJ investigation of ICE deaths

Mexico has launched a legal and diplomatic campaign seeking accountability for the deaths of 17 Mexicans during U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, escalating its response to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

Mexican officials said 14 of the nationals died in ICE custody and three were killed during enforcement actions, prompting Mexico to pursue investigations in the U.S. and seek international scrutiny.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has described the deaths as "homicides" and said Mexico "cannot turn a blind eye to the Mexicans who have died."

"We are going to do everything within our power," Sheinbaum said. "What we cannot do is stand by as Mexicans die in ICE operations or detention."

Mexico has filed criminal complaints with state and county prosecutors, plans to ask the Department of Justice to conduct independent investigations and has sent cease-and-desist letters directing detention centers to preserve records, according to the Mexican government.

Officials have also requested a review through the U.N. human rights system, which could examine whether the U.S. met its obligations under international law but cannot compel federal agencies to cooperate.

Among the cases is that of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent last Sept. 12 during a traffic stop in Franklin Park, Illinois.

Villegas Gonzalez, who had lived in the U.S. since 2007 and was the father of two children, became the focus of conflicting accounts about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The Department of Homeland Security said Villegas Gonzalez fled a traffic stop and dragged an ICE agent "a significant distance with his car," seriously injuring the officer.

Police body-camera footage obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, however, showed the agent describing his injuries as "nothing major," a "knee injury," and "some lacerations" to his hands.

DHS said the U.S. attorney's office declined to prosecute the ICE officer, although ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative review.

Illinois State Police opened a separate investigation in May, but authorities have not released any findings.

Legal experts said Mexico cannot force federal, state, or local prosecutors to investigate or file charges, although its complaints could create a record for possible civil litigation and increase political pressure on U.S. officials.

"The department has the discretion to act or not act, but it has now been informed of alleged criminal conduct," said Ilan Katz, president of the Mexican Bar Foundation.

Mexico said the State Department sent back a cease-and-desist letter concerning four Mexicans who died this year at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California.

The initiative gained urgency after an ICE officer fatally shot 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a July 7 traffic stop in Houston.

DHS acknowledged Salgado Araujo was not the person agents were seeking, while federal prosecutors said officers had been looking for two Guatemalan men in a similar vehicle, The Associated Press reported.

Salgado Araujo had lived in the U.S. for decades and was driving to a construction job with three co-workers when he was killed, according to his family.