ICE Shootings: Two Immigrants Killed in Texas and Maine
What if ICE agents show up at your door — and the encounter turns deadly? In the past 10 days, that happened twice. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero were both shot and killed by ICE officers in separate incidents in Texas and Maine, and the Department of Homeland Security's self-defense claims remain unsupported by any public evidence.
Two men dead, no evidence for DHS's account
Within a span of 10 days, ICE agents fatally shot two immigrants in separate incidents — one in Texas, one in Maine. The victims were Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. The Department of Homeland Security said its officers acted in self-defense and in the interest of public safety. But as of today, no evidence has emerged to back up those claims. Guardian immigration reporter José Olivares, who has been covering both cases, described the pattern as one of "fear, intimidation, violence."
These two deaths are not isolated. According to reporting by The Guardian, at least 10 people have been fatally shot by immigration officials during Donald Trump's second term. Advocates and journalists covering the story say the killings reflect a broader pattern of escalating force inside the administration's mass deportation campaign. Calls are growing — from civil rights groups and elected officials — to remove ICE from residential streets entirely.
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What this means for immigrants right now
If you are undocumented, have a pending immigration case, or are in removal proceedings (the formal legal process where a judge decides whether you can stay in the US), this pattern of enforcement matters directly to you. Knowing your rights during an ICE encounter can be the difference between a safe outcome and a dangerous one. You are not required to open your door for ICE unless agents present a judicial warrant — a warrant signed by a judge, not just an administrative ICE document. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to speak with an immigration lawyer before answering questions.
What to do
- Do not open your door to ICE unless they show a judicial warrant (signed by a federal judge, not an ICE supervisor). Ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can read it.
- Say clearly: "I do not consent to a search. I want to speak with a lawyer." Then stay silent. Anything you say can be used against you in immigration court.
- Contact an immigration lawyer or a local legal aid organization immediately if ICE has visited your home, your workplace, or if you have received any notice related to removal proceedings.
- If you witness or experience what you believe is excessive force by ICE, document everything you safely can — time, location, officer descriptions — and report it to organizations like the ACLU or the National Immigration Law Center.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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During any ICE encounter, your Fourth Amendment rights still apply — agents generally cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant or your consent. If you are detained, invoke your right to remain silent immediately and ask for an attorney before any questioning; statements made without counsel can seriously damage your case in removal proceedings. Given the current enforcement climate, every immigrant — regardless of status — should have an emergency contact number for an immigration attorney saved in their phone before any encounter occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ICE have the right to enter my home without a warrant?
Generally, no. ICE needs either your consent or a judicial warrant — one signed by a federal judge — to enter your home. An administrative warrant issued by ICE itself does not give agents the legal authority to force entry. You can ask them to slide the document under the door so you can check which type it is.
What should I say if ICE stops me on the street or at my door?
You have the right to remain silent. Say clearly: "I do not consent to a search and I want to speak with a lawyer." Do not lie, but you are not required to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the US.
Can ICE shoot someone during an arrest?
ICE agents are authorized to use force, including deadly force, under federal law — but only under specific legal conditions. When an agent uses deadly force, the incident is supposed to be reviewed. In the two recent cases in Texas and Maine, DHS claimed self-defense, but no supporting evidence has been made public as of today.
Where can I find free legal help if ICE has contacted me?
Organizations like the ACLU, the National Immigration Law Center, and local legal aid societies offer free or low-cost help. Many immigration attorneys also offer emergency consultations. Do not wait — contact a lawyer as soon as possible after any ICE encounter.