Mexico has lodged 20 complaints with US prosecutors regarding the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since May 2025. The Mexican Foreign Ministry disclosed that Mexican Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri filed eight complaints with state prosecutors and 12 with county prosecutors on July 13 in various jurisdictions where the deaths occurred, including states like Arizona, California, and Texas.
These complaints are part of legal actions aimed at investigating the cases. Additionally, the Mexican Embassy submitted a complaint from Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office to the US Department of Justice on July 14, formally requesting investigations and updates on their progress. Ambassador Lazzeri also raised concerns over detention center conditions with officials from the US Department of Homeland Security and ICE, seeking clarification on each case.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco reached out to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, requesting assistance in assessing the cases under international human rights instruments. Mexico’s consular network is actively providing legal support and assistance to the families of the deceased, including facilitating the repatriation of remains and other necessary procedures.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently questioned the US’s involvement in the 2024 arrest of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who was extradited to the US and sentenced to life in prison. Sheinbaum highlighted the lack of clarity surrounding the arrest, emphasizing that the US government had not provided sufficient information, which Mexico believes contributed to a surge in violence in Sinaloa.
