Voto Latino and 50 interfaith, human rights, business, immigration, veterans and civil rights organizations sent a letter to Congress demanding the immediate presentation of articles of impeachment to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, for the murder of immigrants.

The organizations demand a thorough congressional investigation into Secretary Mullin's performance that includes deaths in detention centers, shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, "and other acts of violence committed by DHS during his tenure."

The demand on congressmen is justified by the murder of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a father who was shot by agents during a traffic stop on July 7, 2026, as well as the murder of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian with authorization to work in the United States, who was shot by ICE agents in Biddeford, Maine, on July 13, 2026.

“Two Latino men have died within a week of each other, murdered by the same agency that has unleashed chaos in our neighborhoods,” declared Beatriz López, executive director of Voto Latino. "When he took over the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Mullin attempted to distance himself from the abuses of his predecessor, Kristi Noem. But over the past four months, it has become clear that Mullin is no different, but rather exacerbating the agency's worst impulses."

In addition to the deaths of Salgado Araujo and Durán Guerrero, the letter details other rights violations documented under Mullin leadership, including obstruction of congressional oversight at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in New Jersey, “where DHS restricted visitation and used tear gas, pepper spray, and batons against detainees and activists investigating hunger strikes, overcrowding, and one death in custody.”

The letter was sent to the president of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson (Louisiana) and the Democratic minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries (New York), as an impeachment process begins in that House.

The letter was also sent to Republican Jim Jordan (Ohio), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Democrat Jamie Raskin (Maryland), ranking Democratic member of that committee; as well as Republican Andrew Garbarino (New York), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Democrat Bennie Thompson (Mississippi), high-ranking member of said committee.

DHS Contempt of Court Orders

Activists highlight that under Mullin, DHS has gone into contempt of at least 100 federal court orders, in addition to recalling the secretary's own refusal – during his appearance before the Senate in June 2026 – to commit to complying with those orders.

“Massive family separation: more than 205,000 children have lost a parent to detention since the administration took office, including 145,000 US citizen children and more than 22,000 with both parents detained,” the organizations recall.

Added to this is the increase in deaths in ICE custody with 21 deaths in 2026, eight of which occurred since Mullin took office in March.

“We urge all leaders mentioned in this letter to treat it with the urgency it requires,” López added. “Lives are at stake, and every day of inaction is another day of destruction for families.”

Advocates also warn of expanded family detention infrastructure in Texas, Arizona, California and Louisiana, including a facility with capacity for 528 families and children located next to a deportation flight center.

Voto Latino also called on the population to join the “One death is enough” campaign, signing a petition on MullinMustGo.com, to demand that the current head of the DHS be removed.

“Congress must act, and our community will not be silent until it leaves,” López said.

So far, federal authorities are blaming immigrants who recently died at the hands of ICE, as even border czar Tom Homan indicated.