Mexico to Take US to Court Over Deaths of Its Nationals in ICE Custody

Mexico plans to file criminal complaints with U.S. prosecutors over the deaths of Mexican nationals in ICE custody, a shift from its earlier diplomatic-only approach.

Mexico is preparing to escalate its response to a string of deaths involving Mexican nationals held by U.S. immigration authorities, with officials now planning to pursue criminal complaints in American courts rather than relying solely on diplomatic pressure.

Mexico’s Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez announced Thursday that the country intends to file criminal complaints in the United States over Mexican nationals who have died while in ICE custody. Until now, Mexico had raised these concerns strictly through diplomatic channels, but Velasco Álvarez said the government plans to go further by submitting complaints directly to U.S. prosecutors and asking them to open criminal investigations.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum backed the move during a press conference Thursday morning. “We’re going to do everything we can in our power,” Sheinbaum told reporters, according to Axios. She added that Mexico cannot afford to look away from the deaths of its citizens in ICE operations or detention facilities, saying that’s precisely why her government is pushing for stronger action.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Araujo used his vehicle as a weapon, attempting to run over an ICE officer before he was shot. He died later at a local hospital. Both DHS and the FBI are now investigating the shooting, while community leaders are calling for an independent and transparent review of what happened.

That presentation also referenced a statement from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who called for prompt, independent and effective investigations into all deaths occurring in ICE custody, describing the overall number of deaths as alarming.

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