The Government of Mexico raised its concern with the United Nations about the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens that occurred in custody or during operations of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), in a new escalation of the diplomatic and legal strategy promoted by the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum to demand investigations and responsibilities in the United States.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) reported that Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco sent a communication to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, with the request that his office collect information from the US authorities, analyze whether the facts are compatible with international obligations on human rights and, if appropriate, issue recommendations and refer the case to the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.

The petition is part of a package of actions announced by the Mexican Government after the recent deaths of Mexicans related to immigration operations and detention centers managed by ICE. The federal administration maintains that the response will go beyond traditional diplomatic notes and will seek to use the legal channels available both in the United States and internationally.

Mexico expands its legal strategy in the United States

As part of the measures, the SRE confirmed that, in coordination with the Attorney General's Office of the Republic, it will present a complaint to the United States Department of Justice through the Mexican Embassy in Washington.

At the same time, the Mexican consular network began filing complaints with the competent state prosecutor's offices in the states where the deaths occurred.

Another action consists of sending cease and desist letters to immigration detention centers where Mexican citizens died. The first was directed to the Adelanto, California detention center, a facility where, according to the Foreign Ministry, four Mexicans have died.

As explained by the agency, these documents seek to immediately cease the actions or omissions that allegedly contributed to the deaths, including the lack of timely access to medical care and the application of policies considered incompatible with international medical and penitentiary standards. The SRE indicated that these writings represent the first formal step towards an eventual presentation of civil lawsuits.

Case arises after recent deaths of Mexican migrants

The legal offensive of the Mexican Government occurs after the death of the migrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during an ICE operation in Houston, Texas, a case that motivated the Sheinbaum administration to strengthen its position towards the US authorities.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the actions currently undertaken correspond to an essential investigative stage before initiating additional judicial proceedings in accordance with US and international law.

The agency also reiterated that it maintains permanent support for the families of the victims through the consular network and assured that it will continue to use the institutional mechanisms available to defend the rights of Mexicans abroad.

The decision to go to the UN also comes after High Commissioner Volker Türk himself recently requested independent investigations into the deaths of migrants recorded in detention centers and during immigration operations in the United States, a context that has intensified international scrutiny on immigration control policies and the detention conditions of migrants in the country.