A vigil is planned in Caldwell as a local immigration attorney says Idaho has seen an increase in ICE detentions.
CALDWELL, Idaho — The fatal shooting of a Mexican national during an immigration enforcement operation in Houston has drawn national attention, sparked protests across the country and prompted a vigil planned in the Treasure Valley.
Federal officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were attempting to arrest Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop in Houston on Tuesday when he failed to comply with commands and used his vehicle in a way that endangered officers. The Department of Homeland Security said an agent fired in self-defense.
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Salgado Araujo’s death has led to demonstrations in multiple cities and renewed scrutiny of immigration enforcement tactics, including operations involving unmarked vehicles. His family has called for an independent investigation into the shooting.
The case has also raised questions locally about interactions between federal immigration agents and community members.
Nikki Ramirez-Smith, an Idaho immigration attorney, said she has seen an increase in immigration detentions but has not observed the same level of confrontations in Idaho that have been reported in other states.
“It’s unprecedented,” Ramirez-Smith said. “We’re seeing people picked up regularly. Some of these people have work permits. Some of them are in process. Some of them are in pending court proceedings, and they’re still being detained.”
Ramirez said people who are approached by federal agents should remain calm and said agents should identify themselves.
“They need to identify themselves as agents,” Ramirez-Smith said. “I haven’t had a lot of complaints that people haven’t identified themselves as agents in Idaho. I am seeing other things in other states, but in Idaho, I just haven’t seen big issues with them not identifying themselves or not being in gear.”
Ramirez said that while immigration detentions appear to be increasing in Idaho, she has not seen reports that mirror some of the concerns raised in other parts of the country.
“I’m seeing more detentions, but I’m not seeing aggressive assaults by ICE,” Ramirez-Smith said. “I’m not seeing people taken where we can’t find them, and I’m not seeing some of the issues being reported in other states. I’m not seeing it here, except for the massive increase in detainments.”
Federal officials continue to maintain the Houston shooting was an act of self-defense.
Salgado Araujo’s family and supporters continue to call for an independent review of the incident.
Meanwhile, local advocates are organizing a vigil in Salgado Araujo’s honor. Organizers say the event is scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Kimball and Arthur streets in downtown Caldwell.
The event is expected to bring together community members calling for transparency and accountability as questions surrounding the Houston shooting continue to draw attention nationwide.