Day 651 — Mexico Formally Demands US Criminal Investigations Into ICE Killings of Mexican Nationals

On July 14, 2026 (Day 651, Tuesday), President Sheinbaum announced that her government had lodged formal requests with U.S. prosecutors for criminal investigations into the deaths of Mexican nationals during ICE operations, days after the July 7 killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston — the 17th such death since President Trump's immigration crackdown began. Officials said Mexico was seeking accountability for all 17 deaths tied to ICE raids or immigration detention since Trump returned to office. The move was described as the toughest formal action Mexico has taken over migrant deaths under the current administration. Sheinbaum emphasized that pursuing accountability was not intended to manufacture conflict with Washington, but that her government 'should not remain silent about the deaths of its citizens' merely to preserve smooth relations with the Trump administration. The announcement came alongside broader diplomatic friction after Trump amplified a column by commentator Bill O'Reilly criticizing Mexico's security strategy; Sheinbaum responded that 'Mexico is a friend to everyone' while reaffirming her government's defense of national sovereignty.