Family Seeks Clear Answers After Immigration Agents Kill Father in Texas
The sons of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo recently shared their deep sadness. Their father was killed by US immigration authorities in Texas. They spoke to lawmakers in Houston. The sons asked for a full and open investigation into his death.
Mr. Salgado Araujo’s sons told Democratic members of Congress about their difficult experience. They said their family had a very confusing time. They learned their father was shot from a post on Facebook.
The sons read a statement. They said their father worked hard for his family. He always wanted to protect them and give them what they needed. He taught them that hard work brings good things.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was 52 years old. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot him during a traffic stop. He was a Mexican immigrant. He had lived in the United States for over 30 years without legal papers. His family said he was not the person ICE was looking for.
After his death, thousands of people in Houston protested. They demanded justice for Mr. Salgado Araujo. One son, Ronaldo Salgadok, said he heard his father crying for help in online videos. He did not see his father, but heard his voice from those posts.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare also spoke at the meeting. He said the Department of Homeland Security has not given him information. This department is in charge of ICE. Mr. Teare asked for evidence and the name of the officer who fired the shot. He said his requests were ignored.
ICE agents held three other people during the traffic stop. One was Mr. Salgado Araujo’s brother. Officials first said Mr. Salgado Araujo used his car as a weapon against officers. But witnesses have said this is not true. The ICE agents did not wear body cameras.
Democratic members of Congress said they plan to investigate ICE. They want to make changes if they win more power in Congress later this year. Congressman Christian Menefee spoke at the meeting. He said ICE needs to be completely changed and rebuilt. He believes the agency must respect everyone it meets.
This killing was not the only one recently. Less than one week later, ICE agents shot and killed Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero. He was a Colombian immigrant in Maine. Earlier this year, federal agents also killed two US citizens in Minnesota. These events led to anger and protests across the country.
