Nearly the entire House Democratic Caucus signed onto a letter Wednesday demanding an “independent” investigation into two fatal ICE shootings, with 198 lawmakers calling on federal authorities to back off and let outside investigators take the lead.
The letter, organized by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and signed by House Democratic leadership, targets two separate incidents: the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and the killing of Joan Guerrero in Maine. Both men died during encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers within the span of one week.
“We are calling for immediate independent investigations into both of these deaths, without interference,” the Democrats wrote in the letter.
Democrats claim witness accounts and video footage contradict the official ICE version of both shootings. In the Houston case, three passengers who were in the same vehicle as Salgado Araujo have stated that he did not attempt to use the van as a weapon against agents, directly disputing ICE’s account. Those three men, all eyewitnesses, have since been placed in removal proceedings, which the letter calls “completely unacceptable.”
In the Maine case, DHS said ICE shot Guerrero out of concern for “public safety” after he tried to flee in a vehicle, but notably did not claim the officer feared for his own life. Video footage showed officers handcuffing Guerrero and placing him on the ground even after he had been shot in the head.
The letter points to 22 total shootings by DHS officers under the Trump administration, six of which were fatal.
Republicans and the administration have said ICE officers are operating lawfully and facing increasing danger as they carry out an aggressive deportation push ordered by President Trump. The White House has not commented on the Democratic letter as of Wednesday evening.
ICE has not responded publicly to the specific allegations raised by the Democratic signatories.
Senate Democrats have separately raised concerns about oversight of enforcement operations, though no formal Senate inquiry has been announced.
