A makeshift memorial for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Houston, Texas, last week.Image: keystone
For several months, things were quieter around the US migration agency ICE – now deaths in connection with operations by the controversial agency are increasing again. An overview.
July 15, 2026, 2:53 p.mJuly 15, 2026, 2:53 p.m
Deaths are increasing again
On Tuesday there was another death in Florida in connection with an ICE operation. A man with a Mexican passport is said to have fled on foot after an encounter with ICE officers in a gas station parking lot. As a result, he was hit by a tractor-trailer on the street. This was announced by the Florida Highway Patrol after initial findings.
The Department of Homeland Security speaks of a deployment of law enforcement authorities. The exact background is unclear.
Two people have already died in connection with ICE incidents in the past few days. Last week in Houston, a 52-year-old Mexican man who, according to his family, had lived in the United States for 35 years, was shot dead in a vehicle by an ICE officer. As in other previous cases, it was said that the Mexican named Salgado Araujo used his vehicle as a “weapon,” which is why the ICE employee acted in “self-defense.” Eyewitnesses contradict this account.
On Monday, an ICE police officer killed 26-year-old Colombian Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. This is what local civil rights organizations report. The father of the man killed told a Colombian news channel that his son was in the United States legally. That’s what she reports New York Times. He worked as a food delivery person and cleaner. His wife and three-year-old daughter were sitting in the car when Guerrero was shot.
Nationwide outcry in January
Since Trump’s second inauguration, ICE officers have been deployed during their operations, according to statistics from the New York Times shot at almost two dozen people. That is significantly more than in previous years. Up to nine people were killed.
At the beginning of the year, the cases of Renée Good and Alex Pretti caused a national outcry in the USA. Federal officials shot and killed the two US citizens in January.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Image: keystone
Even six months later, the cases still have an impact. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll from last month, 51 percent of the 1,262 respondents saw Trump’s migration policy as “on the wrong track.” Only 35 percent supported Trump’s actions. The values are similarly low as after the deaths at the beginning of the year, writes the broadcaster CNN.
Discontent at home and abroad
The latest incidents are likely to cause further discontent just a few months before the important midterm elections in November. Protests have already broken out in the cities of Houston and Biddeford following the fatal shooting.
Protesters gather in Maine, a day after the shooting of Joan Sebastian Guerrero.Image: keystone
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in particular is coming under pressure after the latest deaths. Trump fired his predecessor Kristi Noem in March – the reason for this was, among other things, the deaths in Minneapolis.
The main criticism is that in many cases ICE police officers do not wear body cameras. This was not the case in either Houston or Biddeford. The Department of Homeland Security actually promised to purchase such cameras after Good and Pretti were killed by ICE police officers. The acquisition process is ongoing, US government border and immigration officer Tom Homan told CNN.
Criticism from abroad
There is also criticism abroad. Mexico called in the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco asked UN High Commissioner Volker Türk in a letter to have deaths of his own citizens examined in connection with the authority and to obtain information from the US authorities, as the Mexican Foreign Ministry announced. The Office of the High Commissioner should also examine whether the incidents are compatible with the US’s international human rights obligations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced last week that after the deaths of Mexican citizens in connection with ICE, she would no longer only take diplomatic but also legal action against those responsible. According to the government, three Mexicans have died during immigration operations and 14 others in deportation detention.
This is how ICE reacts
According to information from US media, the migration authority responded with changes to its approach. A large part of the non-urgently necessary vehicle checks during operations will be stopped, at least for the time being, several US media outlets reported unanimously, citing informed sources.
John Sandweg, former head of the immigration agency under Democratic President Barack Obama, told the Washington Post that it was a sensible step to avoid deadly operations. As part of Trump’s mass deportation campaign, there has been pressure on officials to increase the number of arrests, which has led to an increase in vehicle checks and associated risks. Compared to patrol officers, ICE employees are less well trained.
The immigration authorities did not initially comment on the reports. “We are constantly reviewing our procedures to keep our officers safe and criminals off the streets,” said an ICE spokesman. “We will not reveal or discuss our law enforcement tactics.”
The authorities had already adjusted their approach after the fatal shooting in Minneapolis in January. Instead of large raids – like earlier this year, when more than 200 immigrants were arrested – ICE focused on targeted operations, for example at workplaces. In recent weeks the frequency of operations has apparently increased again.
With material from the news agencies SDA and DPA.