Mexico Demands US Investigate the Death of a Mexican National in Laredo; 18 So Far in the Trump Era

This article by La Redacción originally appeared in the October 18, 2026 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Mexico City. The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) asked US authorities for a prompt, exhaustive and transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances of the death of a Mexican man at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas, and to determine, where applicable, the corresponding responsibilities.

It reported that it was notified of the case by the local office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), through the Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo.

In a statement, it said that since it learned of the events, the consular office activated the corresponding protection protocol, established communication with the relatives and has provided the necessary consular assistance.

This case brings to 18 the number of Mexican nationals who have died in these circumstances since January 20, 2025 –when Donald Trump’s second administration began–, “a situation that demands an effective response from US authorities to guarantee the life, integrity and human rights of migrants.”

The Government of Mexico expressed its deep concern over the recurrence of deaths of Mexican people in custody or in the context of immigration operations in the United States.

The SRE has undertaken diplomatic and legal actions, including diplomatic notes to the State Department, complaints before the competent authorities and efforts to facilitate families’ access to legal representation. It has also reinforced consular protection actions and the monitoring of the detention conditions of Mexican people.

This Secretariat, it said, will continue using all the diplomatic and legal mechanisms within its reach, including a complaint that will be sent to the Webb County prosecutor to seek clarification of this case. In addition, through the Embassy of Mexico in the United States, immigration authorities will be asked to guarantee Mexican consuls’ access to immigration detention centers, so that they can fulfill their mission of guaranteeing and demanding health care for Mexican people.

The Government of Mexico expressed its most sincere condolences to the national’s family and reiterates its commitment to the protection and defense of the rights of Mexican people abroad.