AUSTIN, Texas — Members of the Texas faith community are set to gather at the state Capitol today, calling on Gov. Greg Abbott and legislative leaders to take action against what they describe as “ICE violence” following a recent shooting in Houston.
Representatives from Christian and Jewish organizations are expected to speak at 11 a.m.
The event comes as new details emerge about the deadly ICE shooting of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed earlier this month during an immigration operation in Houston.
ICE has said Salgado Araujo tried to hit an agent with his van and that the agent fired in self-defense. Salgado Araujo’s family and passengers inside the van dispute that account.
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According to The Texas Tribune, newly released handwritten statements from two witnesses say a patrol vehicle chased the van, and then unmarked vehicles cornered it. The witnesses say the van came to a complete stop, no agents were in front of it, and an agent fired multiple shots.
The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to questions about the statements.
One of the three passengers detained after the shooting is now asking a federal judge to order his release. His attorneys say he has lived in the U.S. for decades and has no criminal history.
The judge has ordered the federal government to respond by Friday. Officials are also barred from deporting him or moving him outside the Southern District of Texas while the case is pending.
The developments come as Abbott issued a new executive order directing state agencies to investigate what he calls illegal “birth tourism” schemes and to hold licensed health care providers involved accountable.