Houston ICE shooting: Congressional field hearing on death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

HOUSTON - Federal lawmakers were in Houston Friday for a congressional field hearing following the deadly shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE officer.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the House Homeland Security Committee heard testimony from Araujo’s family, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, faith leaders and community advocates.

Houston ICE shooting

The backstory:

Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national, was shot and killed by an ICE officer on the morning of July 7 in Houston’s East End. 

His family says the father of three had been in the U.S. for nearly 35 years, was in the process of obtaining a work permit, and was close to obtaining his legal status.

At the time of the shooting, his family says he was picking up workers on his way to a construction job.

A federal prosecutor has said that ICE officers that morning were targeting two Guatemalan men who were potentially subject to deportation and driving a van similar to Salgado Araujo’s vehicle.

ICE officers claim they were trying to conduct a stop on Salgado Araujo’s work van when he rammed their vehicle, refused to follow verbal commands and tried to run over an officer. The agency says the ICE officer shot Salgado Araujo in self-defense.

Three other men were in the van at the time of the shooting. The Associated Press reports that the passengers, according to their attorneys, have disputed DHS’s account of the shooting.

Friday's hearing

Big picture view:

Much of Friday's testimony centered on concerns over transparency in the investigation.

District Attorney Sean Teare testified that investigators have encountered challenges obtaining evidence from federal agencies, including information needed to complete the county's investigation. He also reiterated that the investigation remains active.

Lawmakers repeatedly questioned why the ICE agents involved were not equipped with body-worn cameras and criticized what they described as a lack of cooperation from federal agencies.

"The people of Houston deserve answers, they deserve transparency, they deserve accountability", Rep. Syliva Garcia stated. 

Members of Congress also called for greater oversight of ICE, with several lawmakers arguing the agency's use-of-force policies and accountability measures should be examined by Congress.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's sons gave emotional testimony, telling lawmakers their father was a hardworking family man whose death has devastated their family.

Lorenzo Jr. pushed back against suggestions that his father had done anything wrong.

"Anyone who knew our father would tell you that's absurd. He did not use drugs. He abhorred them."

RELATED: 'Substance' in van targeted in Houston ICE shooting tests negative for drugs

The brothers also urged lawmakers to ensure no other family experiences what theirs has endured.

ICE Oversight Questions:

Several members of Congress questioned whether ICE has sufficient accountability measures in place, particularly after hearing testimony that agents involved in the shooting were not wearing body cameras.

Virginia Congressman James Walkinshaw said the agency's disciplinary record raises concerns.

"Only one single solitary ICE officer has been disciplined... That tells me this is an agency where accountability has broken down and an agency that is broken."

What's next:

The Harris County District Attorney's Office says its investigation remains ongoing.

Separate investigations by the FBI and the Texas Rangers also continue.

Teare told lawmakers his office remains focused on gathering all available evidence before making any decisions.

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