MEXICO CITY, July 16 — The Mexican government has begun legal action announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum following the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody or during ICE operations, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, it would file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice through the Mexican Embassy in Washington.
It said complaints had also begun to be filed with relevant state prosecutors’ offices in the United States through Mexico’s diplomatic mission and consular network.
As part of the measures, Mexico has also begun sending cease-and-desist letters to detention centers where Mexican nationals have died. The first was addressed to the Adelanto detention center in the U.S. state of California, where four Mexicans have died.
According to the ministry, the letters demand an immediate end to “actions or omissions that led to these deaths,” including a lack of timely access to medical care and the use of policies incompatible with medical and prison standards.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco informed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk of the deaths and asked his office to gather information from U.S. authorities, assess compliance with international obligations and issue corresponding recommendations.
The ministry said the measures were part of an investigative stage ahead of possible legal proceedings. It reiterated support for the victims’ families through Mexico’s consular network and said the government would act “firmly” in defending the rights of Mexican nationals abroad.
