A protester wears the flag of Mexico while attending a rally in opposition to recent deportations and ICE raids on June 11, 2025, in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
July 22 (UPI) -- Mexico said Wednesday it filed criminal complaints with prosecutors in the United States and referred cases involving the deaths of Mexican nationals in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody or operations to the U.S. Justice Department.
It also asked the United Nations human rights chief to review the cases, marking the next phase of legal action announced earlier this month.
Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry said the actions follow measures announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum on July 9 in response to the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens recorded since May 2025 during ICE operations or while detained by the agency.
According to the ministry, Mexican Ambassador to the United States Roberto Lazzeri filed 20 complaints July 13 -- eight with state prosecutors and 12 with county prosecutors -- in the jurisdictions where the deaths occurred --Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas.
