On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her government is preparing to take “more important legal measures” following the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican citizen who died after being shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Houston.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 7, when ICE agents attempted to arrest Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agent fired after Salgado Araujo allegedly evaded arrest, refused multiple verbal commands, and rammed one of the police vehicles. Salgado Araujo later died in a hospital from his injuries.

President Sheinbaum condemned the treatment of Mexican nationals in the United States, emphasizing that the only “fault” of many immigrants is “not having papers.” She stressed that Mexico will go beyond diplomatic notes and pursue stronger legal actions to protect its citizens abroad.

“We cannot allow mistreatment of our brothers who are in the United States, our fellow nationals. So, we are proposing other measures,” Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference.

The Mexican government has previously sent diplomatic notes regarding deaths of Mexican nationals and requested hearings before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to address deaths in ICE detention centers. In March, Mexico also joined a class-action lawsuit against ICE following another immigrant’s death.

Despite receiving responses from the U.S., Sheinbaum pointed out that these tragic deaths continue to happen. She announced that she and Mexico’s Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco will soon present the new legal measures related to Salgado Araujo’s case.

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing by the DHS Office of Inspector General and the FBI in Houston. Immigrant rights groups and U.S. lawmakers have called for transparency and a thorough review of all evidence.

Ronaldo Salgado, the victim’s son, described his father as a “hardworking Mexican man” who was legally pursuing a work permit in the U.S. At the time of the encounter with ICE agents, Salgado Araujo was reportedly “on his way to work, picking up his employees.”

This case highlights ongoing challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S. and underscores the urgent need for policies that protect human rights and dignity, especially for those living in vulnerable conditions.