Nationwide Vigils Demand Justice for Immigrants Killed by ICE Agents

On Saturday, July 25, over 330 communities across the United States organized vigils, protests, and demonstrations to demand justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero, two individuals recently killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The events aim to honor the lives lost while also calling for accountability from ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The national movement follows two tragic incidents in July: on July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Houston, Texas, while driving a work van. Five days later, Johan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old father, was fatally shot by ICE agents in Biddeford, Maine, in front of his partner and toddler. These killings have sparked widespread outrage and calls for immediate action from the government.

Since President Trump's inauguration, there have been 53 deaths in ICE custody, with 33 occurring in fiscal year 2026 alone. This alarming trend has prompted communities to take collective action, demanding transparency and accountability from federal agencies involved. The protests aim to highlight the need for independent investigations into these incidents and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Organizers have called for immediate measures such as full cooperation from DHS in releasing key witnesses and halting deportation proceedings so they can participate safely in any investigation or legal process. They also demand thorough, unbiased inquiries into each case involving ICE agents to uncover the truth behind the killings and prevent future tragedies.

Furthermore, activists are pushing for a complete overhaul of ICE's operations, including demands that state and local leaders cease supporting federal immigration enforcement efforts and discontinue coordination with ICE. This includes urging businesses and corporations to exercise their legal rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to protect employees, customers, and communities from ICE intrusions.

Crystal Cron, Executive Director of Presente! Maine, emphasized the need for sustained activism: "We refuse to grieve quietly. Johan Sebastián should still be here with his family — instead, his name joins a growing list of lives lost due to an institution that treats our communities as disposable."

Juan Proaño, Chief Executive Officer of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens), echoed these sentiments: "ICE has now taken the lives of immigrants and U.S. citizens alike, proving that no one is safe from their brutality. We will not stop fighting until there is justice for every life lost."

The protests also highlight broader concerns about ICE's impact on community safety and well-being. Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network, stated: "People are dying in ICE detention at a record-breaking rate, and the agency continues to tear families apart and cause chaos wherever it operates." The nationwide events aim to bring attention to these issues and demand comprehensive reforms to protect vulnerable populations.

As Todd Blanche's confirmation as Attorney General nears, activists see this moment as critical for achieving transparency and accountability. Robert Weissman, Co-President of Public Citizen, noted: "This weekend’s gatherings will mourn the loss of life while insisting on an end to ICE’s reign of terror and the cruel policies that make such killings inevitable."

The vigils serve not only as a tribute to those lost but also as a call for systemic change in how the United States handles immigration enforcement. With communities across the country uniting in solidarity, the movement aims to push forward significant reforms to ensure justice and safety for all.