Mexico-US relations are already strained, but experts say they’re about to get worse

Mexico-US Relations Face Growing Tensions Amid ICE-Linked Deaths

Mexico US relations are already strained - The recent fatal shooting of a Mexican man in Houston by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents is set to deepen the existing tensions between Mexico and the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made an unexpected move by initiating a press conference to demand civil and criminal probes in the U.S. concerning the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals during immigration operations or at detention facilities. The Mexican government emphasized that these actions aim to "protect the human rights of Mexicans in the United States."

The trigger for Sheinbaum’s intervention was the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old father of three, in a Texas traffic stop last week. According to ICE, agents fired after Salgado rammed a law enforcement vehicle and ignored commands. His family, however, contests this narrative, asserting that he would have complied if he had recognized the car as belonging to authorities.

Sheinbaum's Call for Legal Action

At the press conference, Sheinbaum also urged submissions to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. When questioned about her remarks, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security defended ICE, stating that agents are trained to use "minimum necessary force" to ensure public and officer safety.

"ICE agents are trained to use the minimum necessary force to resolve dangerous situations to prioritize the safety of the public and our officers," said the agency.

Meanwhile, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco noted that the government has already sent 11 diplomatic protest notes to the U.S. over similar incidents. He explained that Mexico’s current actions go "beyond the diplomatic realm," signaling a shift toward more assertive measures.

Analysts Warn of Escalation

International affairs expert Fausto Pretelin labeled the situation as "the worst moment" for U.S.-Mexico ties since Salgado’s killing. He argued that Sheinbaum’s response could further strain relations for political gain within Mexico. "The opportunity to take these issues seriously is lost," Pretelin said. "And when I say seriously, I mean that diplomatic channels should be used."

"It’s a performance," Pretelin said of Sheinbaum’s announcement. "The opportunity to take these issues seriously is lost. And when I say seriously, I mean that diplomatic channels should be used."

Academic José Luis Valdés Ugalde added that the U.S. shows no indication of addressing Mexican concerns over immigration policy. He also pointed to Mexico’s past missteps, such as rejecting extradition requests for politicians tied to drug trafficking, citing national sovereignty as a rationale. This has created an opening for the Trump administration to push back on trade agreements.

"This is no minor incident," said Valdés Ugalde. "It affects the bilateral relationship and the pending issues that Mexico and the United States have before them," including "security, migration, and trade."

Despite the criticism, some experts believe Sheinbaum hasn’t taken sufficient action. Tomás Milton Muñoz Bravo, a UNAM professor of international relations, argued that the response should have come earlier. "It’s incredible that 17 deaths had to occur for Mexican authorities to finally announce a strategy that goes beyond the merely diplomatic to the judicial," he said. "Of course, the announcement has been made, but I still want to see the actions that have been stated actually develop."