Houston and Chiapas see protests over ICE shooting and gender‑identity law opposition

In Houston, Texas, 52‑year‑old Mexican construction worker Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot dead by an ICE agent on July 7 during a traffic stop. ICE officials said Salgado tried to evade arrest and used his vehicle as a weapon, but witnesses and the victim’s family dispute that account, asserting he never attempted to hit the agent. The family and community have staged daily protests, vigils and caravans outside city hall, while three witnesses are being held as material witnesses.

In Chiapas, Mexico, hundreds of evangelical Christians organized a motor‑vehicle caravan through Tuxtla Gutiérrez on July 17 to oppose recent gender‑identity laws. Led by pastor Josué Pérez Pardo of the “Jesús es el Camino” church, the rally displayed slogans such as “La familia es primordial” and “Defendamos la niñez,” calling for protection of family values amid regional violence and insecurity.