Mexico Launches Legal Offensive in U.S. Courts Over Deaths of Nationals in ICE Custody

Mexico files complaints and sends cease-and-desist letters over the deaths of 17 nationals in ICE custody or raids.

Published on 14 Jul 2026

Mexico has initiated legal complaints with state prosecutors across the United States regarding the deaths of its citizens in immigration detention and during enforcement actions, signaling its most forceful response yet to fatalities tied to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed the strategy in a Tuesday statement, noting that 17 Mexican nationals have died during U.S. immigration enforcement operations or while in custody since Trump resumed office in January of last year.

Additionally, the Mexican government has issued cease-and-desist letters to detention facilities where its nationals have perished. The first such letter was directed to the Adelanto Detention Center in California, where four Mexican citizens have died.

The letters demand an end to practices that may have contributed to the deaths, including delays in medical care and detention policies that allegedly fall short of recognized medical and correctional standards.

The government also intends to lodge a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice via the Mexican embassy, while its consular network assists in pursuing cases with state prosecutors.

Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez has also appealed to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, requesting that his office seek information from U.S. authorities and assess whether the deaths comply with Washington’s international obligations.

These actions follow measures announced last week by President Claudia Sheinbaum, days after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Mexican citizen Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a raid in Houston, Texas, on July 7.

Speaking on Monday, Sheinbaum emphasized that the issue extends beyond government action and urged all Mexicans to stand in solidarity with their compatriots in the United States. While stating that Mexico seeks no confrontation with Washington, she insisted the country cannot stay silent.

“We must raise our voices when human rights violations are committed against our fellow citizens,” she said.

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