On July 8th, 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo died after being shot by an ICE agent while on his way to pick up his construction crew. His story is painful to read, and it's also a reminder of the dark times that we are living in, and the need to protect yourself and to know your rights.
We write this with the deepest respect for Lorenzo, for his family, and for the immigrant community in the United States. What happened to Lorenzo is not okay, it was a horrible crime, and it must not be repeated, and it is not okay.
What We Know So Far
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE agents attempted to stop Salgado Araujo's vehicle Tuesday morning on Canal Street as part of a “targeted enforcement operation.” DHS says Salgado Araujo ignored verbal commands and struck an agent with his vehicle, who then fired “in self-defense.”
Salgado Araujo's family, along with an attorney representing the three men who were with him that morning (including his brother) dispute that account. As reported by CNN, attorney Hugo Balderas-Ibarra said the witnesses' version of events contradicts ICE's account, stating the vehicle was never used to ram agents and that no agent's life was ever in danger.
Here's what has been confirmed:
- Salgado Araujo had no criminal record, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
- He had lived and worked in Houston for nearly 35 years and had already begun the legal process toward a work permit.
- Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia confirmed he was not the original target of the operation.
- The DHS Office of Inspector General and the FBI are both investigating; the Harris County DA's Office has also opened its own investigation, though it has said its access to key evidence remains limited by the federal government.
- The Harris County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.
His son, Ronaldo Salgado, described his father as a man who had prepared for exactly this moment; he had consulted with attorneys and planned not to sign any documents without first calling his family, if he were ever detained. As his son put it to reporters, “he did not deserve to be reduced to a headline.”
A Community Demanding Truth and Transparency
Hundreds marched through Houston this week demanding an independent investigation. Democratic lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have all joined the call for answers. As of this writing, DHS has not released video or evidence supporting its account of what happened.
This case isn't isolated. It joins a series of fatal encounters with federal immigration agents in cities across the country in recent months, a pattern that has deepened distrust among many immigrant communities in how these incidents are investigated.
We understand that reading this can bring up fear. That's exactly why we want to offer something concrete: information you can use today to protect yourself and your family.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family During an Encounter With ICE
As our founding attorney, Otis Landerholm, puts it: knowledge and preparation are the antidote to fear. Here is what every immigrant family should know and do right now:
- You have the right to remain silent. You are not required to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or even your name.
- Ask agents to identify themselves and show a badge, and confirm which agency they're from. Some agents wear vests that say "POLICE" even when they are not local police, you have the right to know exactly who you're speaking with
- Ask "Am I free to leave?" If the agent says yes, you have the right to calmly walk away.
- Don't open the door without a judicial warrant signed by a judge, and remember you have the right to record ICE activity in public as long as you don't physically interfere.
- Carry a Red Card (Tarjeta Roja) from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. It's free, available in 56 languages, and lets you assert your rights in writing if you don't feel safe speaking. You can download yours here
- If something happens, document everything right away: badge numbers, vehicle plates, the agency involved, and witness contact information. You can also file a complaint, even anonymously, with the DHS Office of Civil Rights.
- Have a family plan ready and memorize a trusted immigration attorney's phone number. Who would pay your bond? Who would care for your children? Write it down and share it with someone you trust.
Is your family at risk? Do not wait.
At Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we fight for immigrant families across the country. Contact us today for guidance on deportation defense, family protection plans, and how to prepare for a possible encounter with ICE.
Oakland: (510) 491-0291
www.landerholmimmigration.com
1900 Embarcadero, Suite 310, Oakland, CA 94606
Categories: Deportation Defense | Know Your Rights
Sources: PBS News/AP (July 2026), Houston Public Media (July 9, 2026), CNN (July 10, 2026), FOX 26 Houston (July 2026), Click2Houston/KPRC 2 (July 2026), and Houston Chronicle (July 2026). Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC).