ICE Kills Two Bystanders in a Week: What You Need to Know
You are driving to work — and unmarked federal vehicles surround your car. That is what happened to two men in July 2026, and both were killed by ICE agents who later admitted neither man was the intended target. In less than a week, two families lost someone. And immigrant communities across the country are asking: could this happen to me?
Two men killed — neither was the target
On July 7, 2026, ICE agents in Houston followed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old builder from Mexico, as he drove his crew to a job site. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed he was not the person agents were looking for. Salgado had lived in the US for 35 years, had no criminal history, and his family said he was close to getting legal status. DHS claimed he "weaponized his vehicle" against an agent. The three men in the van told their attorney that no ICE official was ever in front of the vehicle — and that shots came from the sides.
Less than a week later, on July 14, an ICE agent in Maine shot and killed Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, 26, from Colombia. Senator Angus King's office confirmed that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told the Maine senator that Durán was also not the target of the operation. Witnesses said Durán told agents he tried to stop his car as they pulled him out. His wife and young daughter — who was wearing Bluey pajamas — saw the aftermath. Immigrant rights groups said Durán had work authorization and a Social Security number. According to a Guardian review of public reports, his death was the 11th fatal shooting by federal immigration officials since the start of Trump's second term, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
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What the government and advocates are saying
After the two shootings, federal immigration officials were instructed to stop pulling over vehicles until further notice. Border czar Tom Homan called it a temporary pause while officials review the incidents and consider whether training needs to improve. America's Voice, a progressive immigration reform advocacy group, called the pause insufficient, pointing to what it described as a "hastily hired, undertrained force of armed agents operating under exorbitant, politically driven arrest quotas." Civil rights groups including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and the National Police Accountability Project demanded independent investigations and called for ICE to leave communities. The National Police Accountability Project's executive director Lauren Bonds said Congress could act by freezing ICE funding and limiting the agency's jurisdiction. DHS said in a statement it would not disclose or discuss law enforcement tactics.
What to do
- If ICE agents stop your vehicle, stay calm. Keep your hands visible. You have the right to remain silent — you do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or where you were born.
- Do not run or make sudden movements. Lawyers recommend saying clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer."
- If you witness an ICE stop, record it from a safe distance if you can do so safely. Bystander video has been critical evidence in both of these cases.
- Contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible if you or a family member are stopped, detained, or threatened by ICE — especially if you have a pending case, work permit (EAD), or removal order.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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Even if you have a work permit, a pending green card application, or no criminal record, ICE agents can stop and question you — and as these cases show, mistakes happen with deadly consequences. If you are stopped, assert your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney immediately; do not try to explain your status on the street. Anyone in removal proceedings or with a final order of removal should consult an immigration attorney now to explore options like motions to reopen or stays of removal before an encounter occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE stop me even if I have a work permit or pending green card?
Yes. Having a work permit (EAD) or a pending green card application does not prevent ICE from stopping or questioning you. It does not guarantee your safety during an enforcement operation. Carry copies of your documents and know your rights before any encounter happens.
What should I do if ICE stops my car?
Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and do not make sudden movements. You have the right to remain silent. Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer." Do not answer questions about your immigration status or birthplace without an attorney present.
What is a 'final order of removal' and does it mean ICE can arrest anyone near me?
A final order of removal means an immigration judge has ordered a specific person to be deported and all appeals are exhausted. ICE targets that specific person — but as these two cases show, agents have stopped and killed people who were not the target. Being near a target's address or driving a similar vehicle can put you at risk during an operation.
Is there any investigation into these shootings?
Civil rights groups and elected officials have called for independent investigations into both killings. As of mid-July 2026, DHS said it is reviewing its procedures but declined to discuss tactics. The agency temporarily paused vehicle stops while the review is ongoing.