Rep. Al Green accuses Trump administration of possible cover-up in deadly ICE shooting in Texas

The Texas Democrat is demanding an independent investigation and the release of federal video from Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s killing.

Texas Rep. Al Green is demanding an ICE shooting investigation after accusing the Trump administration of possibly concealing evidence surrounding the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston.

During an interview with Democracy Now!, the Texas Democrat said, “My belief is that there is an attempt to cover up currently taking place.” Green, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, argued that federal officials have withheld evidence from local authorities while advancing an account disputed by Salgado Araujo’s family.

An ICE agent fatally shot Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican father of three, on July 7 in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood. ICE said agents were conducting a targeted enforcement operation when he tried to ram a federal vehicle and run over the officer who fired the fatal shot.

His family and local officials dispute that account. They say federal authorities have not released video or eyewitness evidence supporting the agency’s allegations. Green joined Reps. Sylvia Garcia, Lizzie Fletcher and Christian Menefee in requesting an independent investigation and complete, unedited body-camera footage from every officer present.

Pressure for transparency has grown beyond Houston. Kamala Harris called for an immediate, independent and transparent review of the killing, while Menefee challenged ICE’s account and demanded that all evidence be released publicly.

Green compared the government’s response to its handling of earlier fatal encounters involving Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota. He said withholding evidence from local authorities could allow federal officials to control how the case reaches a grand jury and limit outside scrutiny.

Democratic lawmakers also planned a public field hearing in Houston to gather testimony from residents and people familiar with the shooting. Green said the hearing would help keep the case in public view as national attention shifts to other immigration enforcement incidents.

The congressman also framed the demand for an ICE shooting investigation as an issue connecting Black and Latino communities. He warned against attempts to divide the groups and said both must confront discrimination together while seeking transparency and accountability for Salgado Araujo’s death.