NEWS: Casar, Oversight Democrats Demand Investigation of ICE Murdering Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

Image July 16, 2026 Press Release Calls for independent, transparent, and thorough Inspector General investigation, release of body and dash cam footage, protections for witnesses WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), lead Democrat on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, led Texas Democrats on the committee demanding an investigation into the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents. Casar is joined by Reps. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Christian Menefee (TX-18). In letters to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the members: demanded an independent investigation of the shooting; called for release of body and dash cam footage of the incident; and demanded protections for three witnesses to the shooting who may be being pressured to self-deport before an investigation can be concluded. The three witnesses are: Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, Daniel Tirado Pantoja, and Mr. Salgado Araujo’s brother, Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo. The letters raise concerns that officers involved in the shooting have been moved out of Houston, that ICE is not collaborating with local law enforcement and the Harris County District Attorney’s office, and that three surviving witnesses are being pressured to self-deport. In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General (DHS IOG), the members demand the IG’s investigation be “independent, transparent, and thorough.” They write that DHS IOG must maintain and preserve all available evidence, and that it must "immediately report to us any further delays or denials of access to evidence.” They also call for release of “all body worn camera and dash cam footage” and all recorded communication between officers around the shooting. “The pattern of lies to cover up DHS misconduct is well-documented,” they say. “It is therefore critical that the Inspector General’s investigation into Mr. Araujo’s death be independent, transparent, and thorough.” A copy of the IG letter is available here . In a separate letter to Acting ICE Director David Venturella, the members ask that ICE issue a stay on the removal of the three witnesses and release them from detention. They also demand that ICE preserve all available evidence and share it with DHS’ Office of Inspector General, and that it release “all body worn camera and dash cam footage” and all recorded communication between officers around the shooting. A copy of the letter to Director Venturella is available here . ### Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio. A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 119th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Issues : Immigrant Rights Oversight & Accountability