Pappas Demands Independent Investigations into Killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Johan Sebastian Guerrero

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined nearly 200 Members in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths. The members are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) halt removal proceedings against the witnesses.

In their letter, the Members wrote, “Both of these incidents have created enormous fear and outrage in the community, and raise serious questions about the safety of community members, regardless of immigration status. DHS agents have shot at least 22 people just since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. Six of these shootings have been fatal, resulting in the death of U.S. citizens and individuals with no criminal records.”

They continued, “In several of these cases, DHS and its component agencies made unsubstantiated allegations about individuals its agents have shot and even killed, including Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Ruben Ray Martinez, Marimar Martinez, and Julio Sosa-Celis. DHS claimed that the shooting victims were attacking law enforcement officers, attempting to ‘weaponize’ their vehicles, and even called them domestic terrorists. In each case, evidence later emerged that contradicted these claims, showing that DHS representatives made false statements and DHS agents acted inappropriately, resulting in several cases against DHS’s victims to be dismissed with prejudice. As such, Trump’s DHS has lost the trust of the American people and can no longer be considered a reliable source of facts.”

“We are calling for immediate independent investigations into both of these deaths, without interference… Far too many people, Americans and noncitizens alike, are dead as a result of DHS’s reckless actions. There must be accountability and independent investigations,” the lawmakers concluded.

The full text of the letter to DHS Secretary Mullin and ICE Acting Director Venturella is available here.