Democratic Representative Comments on Two ICE Shootings

Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner on Tuesday criticized Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on the House floor over two fatal shootings by federal immigration officers in the prior week. Magaziner referenced Mullin’s March confirmation hearing remarks and asked when the incidents would end.

An ICE officer on Monday fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine. The man was authorized to work in the U.S. and held a Social Security number. DHS stated the officer fired out of concern for public safety.

Maine Sen. Angus King said Mullin informed him the man was not the subject of the warrant officers were serving. Sen. Susan Collins said the Boston office of DHS’s Inspector General had taken over the probe.

On July 7, ICE officers shot and killed 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas as he drove to work. Salgado Araujo had lived in the Houston area for 35 years and had no criminal record, according to his family. He was seeking a work permit and nearing legal status.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia said acting ICE Director David Venturella told her the man was not the intended target of the operation. ICE said Salgado Araujo tried to weaponize his car against officers, but other men in the vehicle and a lawyer for the family disputed that account.

Magaziner stated during his remarks, “When will this madness stop? ” At the March hearing, Mullin had said his goal in six months was that the department would not lead the news every day and that people would understand officers were protecting and working with the public. The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition and Presente!

Maine issued a joint statement calling the Maine shooting devastating, enraging, and unacceptable. King and Collins have called for an impartial investigation into that incident.