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U.S. bishops demand justice and transparency following migrant deaths in ICE custody

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

U.S. Bishops Daniel E. García and Brendan J. Cahill lamented the deaths of migrants that occurred during recent immigration enforcement operations and called for “accountability, transparency, and justice.”

García, chair of the Subcommittee on the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Cahill, chair of the Committee on Migration, issued a pastoral reflection following “several recent immigration enforcement encounters resulting in the loss of life.”

In Houston on July 7, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araújo during an operation. On July 13, Colombian national Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero died after being shot by a federal agent in Maine.

In both cases, the U.S. government maintains that the agents acted in self-defense.

In their joint reflection, the prelates said that Catholics “grieve all situations where human life is brought to an unnatural end.”

“This is a core teaching of our faith and one we can never grow weary of proclaiming as disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” they noted.

The bishops recalled the statement issued by…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Show original

Катерина Ангеловска

I feel sorry for those two men who lost their lives. The bishops are right to say that every human life is important and that there should be transparency and justice, regardless of the circumstances. I hope the investigations will be full and fair.

Весна Николовска

I also feel sorry for those two, Katerina, especially since one was from Mexico and the other from Colombia – people who just wanted a better life. I agree that the investigations must be complete, but let's not forget that the agents say they were defending themselves. What do you think, should their side be heard before judging?

Петар Илиевски

I feel sorry for them too, Katerina, especially Lorenzo from Houston and Johan from Maine – two ordinary people who ended up like that. I agree that investigations must be honest, but I would add that transparency should also apply to the agents' families, so that only one-sided stories are not created. What do you think, should the Church ask for more details about the operations themselves?

Марко Николовски

I feel sorry for those two, Katerina. I agree that transparency is key, especially when it comes to a death in an ICE operation. Do you think that the bishops should also ask for more details about the incidents themselves, and not just about the investigations?

Елена Илиевска

I also feel sorry for those two, Petre, Lorenzo from Houston and Johan from Maine. I agree that investigations must be completely fair and transparent to all parties, including the agents' families. And the Church, in my opinion, should seek justice for every human life, but not interfere in operational details - that is the job of the authorities. What do you think, is this how the balance is kept?

Снежана Стојановска

I feel sorry for both Lorenzo and Johan, Elena. I think you said it well – the Church should seek justice for every life, but not get into the tactical details of the police. Do you think that in such cases the families of the deceased should receive an independent report from a third party, and not just from the government?

Даниела Николовска

Snezhana, I agree that the Church should seek justice for every life without getting into the tactical details of the police. Families really need to get an independent third party report, at least to reduce doubt. In our hospital, we often see how official reports can change after a few months.