Nearly two months after witnessing an ICE agent fatally shoot his older brother, Victor Salgado Araujo was released from an immigration detention center Sunday morning in Conroe.
Lorenzo Salgado was driving a white work van with his brother and two other men on July 7 in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood when he was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. ICE agents detained all three passengers.
Two other passengers, Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego and Daniel Tirado Pantoja, were released in late July and last week, respectively. All three men were held at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, and they disputed claims by federal officials that Salgado had “weaponized” his vehicle and tried to ram the ICE agents.
Victor Salgado’s release Sunday was confirmed by his son, Ronaldo Salgado; his attorney, Ruby Powers; and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston.
“After 54 days, our uncle and my dad’s youngest brother, Victor Hugo Salgado, was released this morning,” Ronaldo Salgado said in a statement on social media. “We picked him up from Montgomery Detention Center before noon. His first meal was chilaquiles from his favorite restaurant, just as his usual Sunday routine called for.”
Powers said Salgado’s release doesn’t end her office’s efforts to hold the federal government accountable.
“The pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo continues, and we remain steadfast in protecting Victor’s immigration rights and standing alongside him and his family,” she said. “We thank the faith leaders, community organizations, advocates, elected officials, members of the media, and all who attended vigils, marches, and protests, spoke out, and stood alongside Victor and his family throughout this process.”
Garcia said she joins the community in giving the family “space and privacy” to grieve.
“Victor Salgado should have never spent nearly two months in ICE custody after watching an ICE agent shoot and kill his brother,” Garcia said in a statement. “I am so glad he is finally home with his family. We’re not done fighting for answers and justice for the Salgado family.”
The records say ICE officers activated emergency lights and sirens during the pursuit that ended in the 6800 block of Canal Street. The officers alleged Salgado’s van struck two federal vehicles before stopping. Victor Salgado, Tirado and Rojas have disputed those claims in separate interviews.
The new documents do not identify Salgado or describe the shooting. Aaron Reitz, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas, objected to the information being made public. But the records were filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in federal court and were publicly available at the federal courthouse in Houston.
At a prayer circle organized last week by the Migration with Dignity Coalition, an interfaith group of immigrant advocates, Lorenzo Salgado Jr. pleaded for his uncle’s release.
“He misses his older brother, who really was almost like a father figure to him,” he said. “They went to work together every single day for 30 years.”
Powers said Friday that Victor Salgado was ready and willing to testify in front of the grand jury.
“He’s one of the key witnesses to what happened that day. We continue to advocate for Victor’s rights and his ability to participate freely as a key witness,” she said.