Los Angeles, CA -- The Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA) mourns the tragic death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a husband, father, business owner, and respected member of his community, who was reportedly shot and killed by ICE agents in Houston this week.

This devastating incident adds to growing concerns about the use of force during immigration enforcement operations and underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and policies that prioritize the dignity and safety of all people.

“Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and humanity, regardless of their immigration status,” said Martha Arévalo, Executive Director of CARECEN-LA. “Our hearts are with Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s family and loved ones as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Incidents like this remind us why we must continue advocating for an immigration system rooted in justice, due process, and respect for human life, not fear and violence.”

CARECEN-LA joins advocates across the country in calling for a full, transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this fatal shooting and for meaningful oversight of immigration enforcement practices.

We also urge immigrant families to be prepared and informed about their legal protections.

Know Your Rights

Everyone in the United States has constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status. If approached by immigration agents:

• Remain calm and do not run.

• You have the right to remain silent.

• Do not open your door unless agents present a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

• Do not sign any documents without first speaking to an attorney.

• Ask to speak with a lawyer before answering questions.

CARECEN-LA encourages community members to create a family preparedness plan and attend a Know Your Rights workshop to better understand their legal protections.

“Our communities deserve safety, compassion, and justice,” Arévalo added. “We will continue standing alongside immigrant families, providing trusted legal services, education, and advocacy to ensure that every person knows their rights and has access to the support they need.”

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CARECEN, the largest Central American immigrant rights organization in the country, empowers Central Americans and all immigrants by defending human and civil rights, working for social and economic justice, and promoting cultural diversity. We envision Los Angeles becoming a place where Central Americans and all other communities live in peace and dignity, enjoying economic well-being, social justice, and political empowerment. Since its founding in 1983, when thousands of Central Americans fled the brutality of civil war, CARECEN has been working to change an unjust immigration system, win legal status for immigrants, and foster community activism on issues such as education reform, workers’ and immigrants’ rights, economic justice and community strengthening.