Summary:ICE threatens to deport witnesses after latest shooting sparks outrage **Introduction** Civil‑righ
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ICE threatens to deport witnesses after latest shooting sparks outrage
**Introduction**
Civil‑rights groups are sounding the alarm after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allegedly warned witnesses that they could face deportation if they cooperate with investigators probing the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. The 28‑year‑old Mexican immigrant died during a routine traffic stop in Houston earlier this week, igniting protests and calls for transparency. Advocates say the agency’s threat undermines public trust and may obstruct justice, while ICE maintains it is merely enforcing immigration law.
**Key Developments**
On Tuesday, Houston police released a brief statement confirming that ICE officers fired their weapons after Araujo failed to comply with commands during the stop. Body‑camera footage exists, but the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has declined to release it, citing an ongoing internal review. Witnesses who were present at the scene report receiving letters from ICE officials warning that any testimony could trigger removal proceedings. Immigration attorneys have filed motions to block those notices, arguing they violate the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self‑incrimination and constitute intimidation. Protests outside the ICE field office in Houston have grown, with demonstrators demanding the immediate disclosure of the video and an independent investigation.
**Industry Analysis**
The situation highlights