Nearly 50 days after Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, his son, Ronaldo, returned to Houston City Hall on Tuesday to ask local leaders for answers and change.
Ronaldo Salgado speaks during public comment on behalf of his father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, while calling for justice following his fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, at Houston City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
“Tomorrow will be 50 days since my dad, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was killed at the hands of ICE,” Ronaldo Salgado told City Council during public comment.
Ronaldo Salgado waits for his turn to speak during public comment on behalf of his father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, while calling for justice following his fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, at Houston City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
“My family and our community are patiently waiting for answers and changes to make sure this never happens again.”
Houston City Council Member Joaquin Martinez listens during public comment at a Houston City Council meeting focused in part on calls for justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, opposition to Flock Safety cameras and Houston police collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at City Hall in Houston on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
Ronaldo Salgado focused much of his remarks on the relationship between local police and ICE, saying that fear of immigration enforcement can keep people from reporting crimes or coming forward as witnesses.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire listens during public comment at a Houston City Council meeting focused in part on calls for justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, opposition to Flock Safety cameras and Houston police collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at City Hall in Houston, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
“If you really want a safer Houston, then local police need to reestablish trust with our immigrant residents,” he said.
Community members speak during public comment at a Houston City Council meeting, calling for justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an end to Houston police collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the removal of Flock Safety cameras, in Houston, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
His comments came after Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and Executive Chief Thomas Hardin did not attend a City Council committee hearing earlier Tuesday, where they had been expected to answer questions about the Houston Police Department’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities. City attorneys pointed to pending litigation involving the department’s immigration policies, and several council members criticized HPD leadership for not appearing.
Ronaldo Salgado speaks during public comment on behalf of his father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, while calling for justice following his fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, at Houston City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
Later, during public comment, several speakers addressed ICE enforcement, HPD’s cooperation with the agency and Flock surveillance cameras. Some continued speaking after their allotted time had ended and were escorted from the council chamber as they finished their remarks. At one point, people in the room chanted, “ICE out of Houston.”
Merlyn Raske is escorted out of Houston City Hall after exceeding her allotted time during public comment at a Houston City Council meeting in Houston on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
Ronaldo Salgado ended by asking council members not to forget the immigrant families still living with the same fears his family has faced.
“Nothing can be done for my dad anymore. He’s gone,” he said. “But a lot can be done for the rest of the immigrant community here in Houston. And I really don’t want anyone to forget about them.”
Ronaldo Salgado speaks during public comment on behalf of his father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, while calling for justice following his fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, at Houston City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
Salgado said his message extends beyond City Hall. For people who have asked how they can support his family, he had a specific call to action: register to vote and show up at the polls.
Ronaldo Salgado speaks during public comment on behalf of his father, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, while calling for justice following his fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, at Houston City Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
He urged people to check their voter registration, make a plan to vote and participate not only in November’s election, but in local, state and federal elections in the years ahead.
“Voting for people who honor and value immigrants and their rights, laws can be changed to allow everyone to be able to live freely and safely in this country,” Salgado said.
He said he plans to continue pushing that message until his family sees justice for his father and until he no longer has to urge lawmakers to stand with immigrant communities.
“Register. Vote. Vote. Vote,” he said.
Community members speak during public comment at a Houston City Council meeting, calling for justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an end to Houston police collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the removal of Flock Safety cameras, in Houston, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle)
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This article originally published at Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s son appeals to Houston leaders for answers regarding ICE shooting.