In an emotional hearing attended by Democratic members of Congress, the sons of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot dead by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, recounted their 'Kafkaesque nightmare' and demanded accountability. Speaking at the hearing in Houston, the sons said they learned of their father's death from Facebook and have been in despair ever since.
According to the Associated Press, the family said in a written statement: 'He worked hard to protect and provide for our family... He taught us that good things come to those who work hard.' Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old of Mexican origin, had been living in the U.S. without legal status for more than 30 years and died during a traffic stop conducted by ICE.
Ronaldo Salgadok, one of the sons, said: 'I learned my father was shot from a Facebook post. I couldn't see him, but I heard his cries for help in videos posted online.' The incident prompted thousands of Houston residents to take to the streets in protest demanding justice.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said at the hearing that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has ignored requests for information and evidence related to the incident, and has not even shared the name of the officer who fired the fatal shot. During the traffic stop, three people, including Salgado Araujo's brother, were taken into custody by ICE.
Authorities initially alleged that Salgado Araujo used his vehicle as a weapon against the officers. However, it was noted that ICE agents were not wearing body cameras at the time of the incident and eyewitnesses have denied that claim.
Democratic members of Congress signaled that if they regain control of Congress in the November midterm elections, they will investigate ICE and push for changes. Democratic Congressman Christian Menefee said ICE should be 'dismantled down to its foundations' and rebuilt as an agency that recognizes the dignity of the people it encounters, adding, 'But we all know that won't happen under this administration.'
A week after Salgado Araujo was killed, ICE agents also shot dead Colombian immigrant Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero in Maine. Earlier that same year, federal immigration agents killed two U.S. citizens in separate incidents in Minneapolis, sparking nationwide outrage.
