Congressman Castro Demands Full Disclosure from ICE and Texas DPS Regarding Fatal Shooting of U.S. Citizen Ruben Ray Martinez

February 27, 2026 Congressman Castro Demands Full Disclosure from ICE and Texas DPS Regarding Fatal Shooting of U.S. Citizen Ruben Ray Martinez For Nearly a Year, ICE and DPS Concealed an ICE Shooting That Left 23-Year-Old Ruben Dead in South Padre Island, Texas WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a new letter, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) demanded full disclosure from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) related to the shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez on March 25, 2025—the first publicly known instance of an ICE agent fatally shooting a U.S. citizen during the second Trump Administration. “For nearly a year, your agencies appeared to have participated in a cover up. Mr. Martinez’s life was tragically cut short, and his family deserves a full and complete understanding of the events leading up to his death. Mr. Martinez should not have died, and your agencies must be fully transparent about the circumstances surrounding his death,” wrote Congressman Castro. Castro continued by highlighting the effort to withhold information from the victim’s family and the public, adding, “The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Homeland Security withheld basic information, concealed the fact that an ICE agent shot Mr. Martinez, and advanced a narrative that is disputed by an eyewitness.” Congressman Castro is requesting the immediate release of all body-camera and dash-camera footage, along with any radio, text, or phone communications from officers before and after the shooting. He is also demanding all records related to the DPS and DHS investigations, including all communications between DPS, the Texas Rangers, and ICE. To read the full letter, click here . Print Email Tweet