Son of Mexican man shot dead by ICE says he ‘dedicated his life to the American Dream’

The man ICE shot and killed during a traffic stop in Houston has been remembered as a ‘hard worker’ and family man.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was driving a car on Tuesday evening when ICE officers tried to stop him.

Araujo is allegedly undocumented and didn’t follow commands. ICE has claimed that Araujo attempted to ‘weaponise his vehicle’ and run over an officer – the same reason the agency gave for shooting Renee Good in January this year.

The agency said officers fired in ‘self-defense’, but his family don’t believe this to be the case.

His son, Ronaldo Salgado, said: ‘He did not deserve to die. He did not deserve to be reduced to a headline of ‘Mexican man shot and killed by ICE.

‘He dedicated his life in the United States to giving his family the American dream. He raised my brothers and me on the idea of education taking us so far in life.

‘I am deeply heartbroken to see that the man who taught me the value of hard work, family values, and education will no longer spend an evening on his porch.’

Homeland Security said: ‘The driver of the vehicle, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo — an illegal alien from Mexico — attempted to evade arrest.

‘From information we are receiving, he rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponised his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense.’

‘The driver was struck, and emergency services were immediately contacted. The driver was transported to the hospital, where he passed away from his injuries.’

An investigation into the shooting has been launched, led by Homeland Security.

ICE made headlines earlier this year after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renée Good in Minneapolis, which sparked fierce backlash and further protests against the immigration agency.

ICE has been ramping up operations under Donald Trump’s administration, targeting major cities as part of mass deportations, which has led to fear and concern among immigrant communities.

Houston, the biggest city in Texas, is home to around 6.5 million people.

Around 28% are white, 24% Hispanic, 22% Asian and 21% Black, according to official census figures.

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