Rep. Menefee Joins Houston Democrats in Demanding an Investigation After ICE Officer Kills Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

HOUSTON, TX — Today, Congressmembers Christian Menefee (TX-18), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Congressman Al Green (TX-09), and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director David J. Venturella demanding an immediate, fully independent, and transparent investigation into the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood.

On Tuesday, July 7, an ICE officer shot Araujo during an immigration enforcement operation in the 6800 block of Canal Street. Araujo later died at the hospital. His family learned of his death through news reports and social media. Three men who were in the vehicle, including Araujo’s brother, remain detained. 

In the letter, the Members demand that:

• DHS and ICE provide written confirmation within 48 hours that all evidence related to Araujo's killing and the detention of the three men has been preserved.
   
• DHS and ICE release the complete, unedited body camera footage from the agent who fired the fatal shot, the complete, unedited body camera footage from every officer present, and all dash camera footage from both ICE vehicles involved.
   
• DHS and ICE confirm whether they will cooperate with state and local agencies conducting the investigation.
   
• DHS and ICE provide answers regarding why Araujo was targeted, whether ICE had an administrative warrant, who authorized the operation, how many federal officers were present, what led to the shooting, and whether body cameras were activated.
   
• DHS and ICE explain why Araujo's name was released before his family was notified of his death.
   
• DHS and ICE explain what steps they are taking to prevent another tragedy.
   

"Houston has always been strengthened by its immigrant communities, including undocumented immigrants. The fear the Trump administration has created has already taken an immeasurable toll on families across the country. Now, that tragedy has reached our own community. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's death demands answers," said Congressman Christian Menefee. "Every piece of evidence, including body camera footage, witness statements, and any other relevant records, must be preserved, reviewed, and made available through a truly independent investigation. Lorenzo's family deserves the truth. The people of Houston deserve the truth. I stand firmly with my colleagues in continuing to demand full transparency and accountability until the facts are uncovered and those responsible are held accountable.”

“ICE killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in our community. Then his family had to find out through the news and social media. That is cruel. That is unacceptable. And DHS and ICE do not get to investigate themselves behind closed doors and call it accountability,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “We are demanding the full truth, the full footage, and a real independent investigation. Lorezno’s family deserves answers. Houston deserves answers. And we will not let DHS or ICE bury this, stall for time, or hide behind the same tired lies.”

“My heart goes out to the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Whenever deadly force is used by federal law enforcement, the American people deserve a complete, transparent, and independent examination of the facts. Public confidence in our institutions depends upon the willingness of government to subject itself to meaningful oversight,” said Congressman Al Green. “I have been in communication with the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, the Honorable Bennie Thompson, and will keep him informed of any further developments, and have made a request for a congressional oversight hearing of the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo to address issues of transparency and accountability.”

“Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s family and our community deserve an independent investigation,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Time and again, the Trump administration has asked us to accept its version of events without question, and time and again, it has broken that trust. Last year, Democrats called for real ICE accountability, including mandating stricter use-of-force standards. Congressional Republicans and President Trump refused. Had those reforms been in place, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo might be alive today. The troubling recent history makes clear that we cannot simply accept ICE’s version of events at face value. We deserve more, and I am joining my colleagues in the Houston Democratic Congressional Delegation in demanding more, starting with answers.”

The full letter can be found HERE.

###