Rep. Menefee Joins Reps. Casar and Crockett in Demanding Investigation of ICE Murdering Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) joined Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35) and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), all members of the powerful House Oversight Committee, in sending two letters demanding an investigation into the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The letters, sent to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, demand:
- An independent investigation into the shooting
- Call for the release of body camera and dash camera footage of the incident
- Demand protections for three witnesses to the shooting who may be being pressured to self-deport before the investigation can be concluded. Those three witnesses are Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, Daniel Tirado Pantoja, and Mr. Salgado Araujo's brother, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo.
The letters raise concerns that officers involved in the shooting have been moved out of Houston, that ICE is not collaborating with local law enforcement or the Harris County District Attorney's Office, and that the three surviving witnesses are being pressured to self-deport.
In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General (DHS OIG), Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, the members demand that the IG’s investigation be "independent, transparent, and thorough." They write that DHS OIG must maintain and preserve all available evidence and that it must "immediately report to us any further delays or denials of access to evidence." They also call for the release of "all body-worn camera and dash camera footage" and all recorded communications between officers related to the shooting.
"The pattern of lies to cover up DHS misconduct is well-documented," the members wrote. "It is therefore critical that the Inspector General's investigation into Mr. Araujo's death be independent, transparent, and thorough."
In a separate letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the members ask that ICE issue a stay of removal for the three witnesses and release them from detention. They also demand that ICE preserve all available evidence and share it with DHS's Office of Inspector General, and that it releases "all body-worn camera and dash camera footage" and all recorded communications between officers related to the shooting.
Since news of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's fatal shooting first emerged, Congressman Menefee, whose district borders the Houston neighborhood where ICE agents shot and killed Lorenzo, has been demanding answers and accountability.
Over the past week, Congressman Menefee has repeatedly pressed ICE, and other federal agencies for answers, called out inconsistencies in their public statements, pushed back on shifting explanations, and demanded transparency and accountability for the agency's actions.
To read the letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), click HERE.
To read the letter to Department of Homeland Security Inspector General (DHS OIG) click HERE.
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