Mexico gets 11 replies from 22 U.S. prosecutors on 18 deaths
Three families have filed civil suits, and a grand jury has indicted an ICE agent in a Houston case involving an injured Mexican national.
Mexico's Foreign Ministry (SRE) has heard back from 11 of the 22 U.S. prosecutors' offices it wrote to about 18 Mexican nationals who died in cases tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The count appears in Information Note 017/2026, which the ministry published on Thursday.
Eight of the letters went to state attorneys general and 14 to county prosecutors. The ministry said talks continue with the rest and that several offices are open to more meetings with Mexico's consular network and its embassy. Its note does not say what the 11 that replied told it.
In July, the ministry spoke of 17 deaths and 20 complaints filed by Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri. Now it counts 18 cases and 22 letters, and it does not say whether they are the same documents.
Here is how the families stand on legal representation:
| Situation | Cases |
|---|---|
| With PALE | 4 |
| Private counsel | 7 |
| Seeking representation | 2 |
| Decided not to take action | 5 |
PALE is a legal assistance program for Mexicans that works through outside counsel. Three families have already sued in civil court: two through that program and one with a private lawyer. In the other cases, families are preparing action with their representatives.
A grand jury has indicted the ICE agent in the case of a Mexican national injured in Houston, and the Harris County District Attorney's Office made the indictment public. The embassy has also spoken with prosecutors in Harris, Webb (Texas) and Ventura (California) counties. The ministry said it will closely follow the case. It did not name the agent or the charges.
