Maine authorities began an investigation to clarify the death of a young man that occurred this Monday in the city of Biddeford, after an operation in which agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) participated.

The case has generated concern among organizations defending migrant rights and could be brought to the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to information released by the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, Ryan Fecteau, the state Department of Public Safety and the Maine Police are already carrying out the first steps to determine how the events occurred. In addition, he announced that the FBI would also participate in the investigations to clarify the use of force during the operation.

Although authorities have not revealed the identity of the victim or officially explained the circumstances that led to the shooting, Fecteau confirmed that one person was killed and that ICE agents were involved in the incident.

Migrant organization demands justice after death

Hours after the event, the organization Project Relief Maine, dedicated to supporting and defending immigrant communities, reported that the deceased young man was part of its organization.

The group mourned the loss and assured that the death represents a hard blow for the state's migrant community.

"This is a young person whose life has been cut short. Our community must come together to support their loved ones and ensure that they do not face this moment alone. They must obtain justice," the organization said in a statement posted on social media.

Project Relief Maine later stated that the victim was a man and explained that his family is going through moments of deep dismay. Therefore, he asked for respect for his privacy while he faces the grieving process.

The case joins other recent incidents related to ICE

The death recorded in Maine occurs amid growing scrutiny of ICE operations in different regions of the United States.

Just a few days ago, an agent of that corporation shot and killed Mexican citizen Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas during an arrest action. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later reported that the migrant remained in US territory irregularly.

With the case that occurred in Biddeford, there are at least six people who have died this year due to shooting by immigration agents in the United States, according to the reports known so far.

Among those victims are also US citizens Alex Pretti and Renée Good, who died during a large immigration operation carried out in Minnesota last January.

Investigations continue

To date, no further details have been released about the circumstances in which the confrontation occurred or the actions of the agents involved. The authorities are keeping investigations open to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine whether there was a justified use of force during the operation.

As the investigations progress, it is expected that federal and state authorities will provide more information about this case, which has raised concern among civil organizations and defenders of the rights of migrants.