Larson Calls for Independent Investigation into Killings of Joan Sebastian Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo

July 16, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) called for an independent investigation into the recent killing of Joan Sebastian Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE agents. Following his call for the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin earlier this week, he sent a letter to federal officials , alongside nearly 200 Members of Congress, including the entire Connecticut House delegation, blasting the Trump Administration’s woeful inaction and failure to take any concrete steps to hold ICE accountable for their criminal actions. Last year, Rep. Larson was put on a “watch list” by the Trump Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for his forceful advocacy against the President’s anti-immigrant policies tearing apart Connecticut communities. He recently voted against the Republican immigration bill that handed another $70 billion to ICE and the Border Patrol, with no guardrails, oversight, or accountability. “The scenes out of Maine and Texas were horrifying, where ICE agents gunned down Joan Sebastian Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado in broad daylight,” said Larson. “They should still be with us today. Rather than join with grieving loved ones and reeling communities to seek justice, President Trump and Secretary Mullin have tried to dodge accountability for the crimes that occurred on their watch. ICE has been transformed into the President’s personal army, terrorizing immigrant families with Gestapo tactics, and executing residents on our streets. Administration officials cannot be trusted to investigate these deaths. There must be an independent investigation to ensure true justice and accountability. ICE needs to be dismantled and disbanded, and Secretary Mullin should resign for his failures of leadership.” Key eyewitnesses who have disputed ICE’s claims about these shootings are now facing removal proceedings themselves. In response, nearly 200 Members of Congress are joining together to call for an independent investigation into the shootings and urging the administration to halt these outrageous threats of deportation. Their full letter is available HERE . “Both of these incidents have created enormous fear and outrage in the community, and raise serious questions about the safety of community members, regardless of immigration status,” said the Members . “Far too many people, Americans and noncitizens alike, are dead as a result of DHS’s reckless actions. There must be accountability and independent investigations.” Since the start of President Trump’s second term in office, his federal immigration enforcement agents have shot at least 21 people, with six of these shootings being fatal. With several of these deadly cases, the administration has made unsubstantiated claims about the intentions and actions of the deceased, similar to the cases of Mr. Guerrero and Salgado Araujo. An independent investigation, without interference by DHS enforcement agencies, is the only way to get real clarity into why these deaths occurred and how they can stop. Issues : Human Rights Immigration Judicial Standing Up to Trump and ‘DOGE’