HOUSTON — Supporters of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, the Mexican national shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in East Houston last week, took their heated concerns from the street to Houston City Hall, speaking out during a city council meeting.
Advocates protested outside city hall and members of the community spoke during public comments, demanding the city conduct an independent investigation into Salgado Araujo’s death, which occurred during a traffic stop in the Magnolia Park neighborhood on July 7.
“It could have been my father. It could have been my mother. It could have been a friend,” said Vanessa Galvez, a protester. “And more than anything, frustrated and devastated because another member of our community has been lost.”
Mayor John Whitmire confirmed the city is assisting with an investigation, has provided evidence to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is talking to the FBI.
“The city has furnished the authorities, the district attorney’s office, audio of the 911 call, Metro video,” he said.
Spectrum News reached out to ICE and was referred to DHS, which issued the following statement from DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin:
“Our #1 goal is to keep our officers safe and get criminals OFF our streets. Illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are. If you are here illegally, LEAVE NOW. As our officers carry out operations to enforce our nations laws, they are facing a more than 1,300% increase in vehicle attacks.”
“We remind illegal aliens attempting to evade arrest is dangerous,” Mullin continued. “This reckless illegal alien activity comes after sanctuary politicians held webinars and shared resources for how to openly defy ICE:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted a webinar providing tips for illegal aliens to evade arrests at homes, workplaces, or in public.
Dan Goldman posted a video online calling on illegal aliens to make a plan for ICE encounters.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued multilingual flyers and online resources advising illegal aliens on how to evade arrest.
California Governor Gavin Newsom released guides and sanctuary laws advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest.”
“We are seeing some movement from the City of Houston, as well as from the federal government, and we must not stop,” said Cesar Espinosa, a community advocate. “Not one more death on our streets.”
Whitmire called for a 90-day moratorium on traffic stops in hopes it will allow ICE agents to receive de-escalation training.