Tom Homan, who is responsible for border enforcement in the United States on behalf of the White House, stated in an interview with CNN that the review of procedures is taking place after discovering that the ICE agent who shot a Colombian migrant in Maine on July 13 had a history of violence, as alleged by his ex-wives, raising questions about the hiring process of the federal agency.
Homan informed that ICE has approximately 30,000 employees, all subject to a background check process, classifying the case in question as unusual. However, he emphasized that the issue is under review and that the training of agents is also being revised.
Despite the deaths recorded this month—including Lorenzo Salgado Aurajo, Mexican, who died on July 7 in Texas; Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, Colombian, who died on July 13 in Maine; and Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán, Mexican, who died on July 14 in Florida after being hit by a truck during an ICE operation—the official denied that ICE committed any 'errors.' He stated that everything is being evaluated and that the outcome of the investigations will be observed.
Similar to what happened in January following incidents in Minnesota, the three recent deaths have intensified demands from the Democratic Party and civil groups for immigration agents to mandatorily use body cameras. Homan also expressed his support for the use of these cameras.
Prior to these statements, the so-called 'border czar' had maintained that migrants who died at the hands of immigration authorities would still be alive if they had obeyed the agents' orders to stop. These events occur amid a scenario of increasing immigrant arrests in the United States, with over 43,000 records in June, made by both ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The June number represents the highest peak since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term in January 2025.
Tom Homan told journalists in front of the White House that the core issue is that the victims did not comply with the authorities' guidelines. He made this statement when questioned about ongoing investigations into the deaths of two individuals in Maine and Texas, who were shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Homan emphasized that it is imperative to follow police instructions, arguing that if the migrants had heeded the orders, they would be alive now. Recently, two migrants, identified as Lorenzo Salgado Araújo, of Mexican nationality, and Johan Durán, of Colombian nationality, died after being stopped by ICE during traffic checks in Texas and Maine, respectively.
Additionally, on July 14, another unidentified migrant died in Florida, after being hit by a truck during another traffic stop conducted by ICE.
The official also addressed other controversial events that occurred during the year, citing the deaths of two American citizens shot by immigration agents in January in Minnesota. Homan expressed skepticism about the veracity of reports of errors in these incidents, stating that he does not believe many of them were truly failures.
Similar to what happened after the events in Minnesota, the recent deaths reignited demands from the Democratic Party and other critics of the Trump administration for mandatory use of body cameras by immigration agents. On this point, Homan expressed full support, as these cameras, according to him, exempt agents in 90% of cases, in addition to promoting transparency in operations.
He stressed the desire for the American public to witness what an ICE agent observes during their activities, believing this will help ICE refute misinformation spread in the media. Homan criticized Democrats for delaying the implementation of these cameras by blocking the Department of Homeland Security budget in Congress for a period of 44 days.
The previous week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had announced that all immigration agents would use cameras by September. However, Homan chose not to provide an exact date for the adoption of this measure. The so-called 'border czar' also stated that the personnel responsible for managing the video systems are undergoing the necessary training regarding operational and storage requirements.
Mass protests have erupted across the United States demanding justice after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed two migrants during separate shootings.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican migrant and father of three, was fatally shot by ICE agents on July 7 while commuting to work in Houston, Texas. According to CNN, American authorities were notified about two individuals, neither of whom was Araujo, who were in the country illegally.
A representative from the Department of Homeland Security stated that on July 7, officers nearly reached the target's address when they spotted a white van with a person resembling the target. Subsequently, the officers initiated a stop of the vehicle.
ICE, for its part, stated on Tuesday that the father of three crashed into one of their vehicles and refused to comply with the order to stop, prompting an ICE agent to open fire in self-defense.
Juan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian migrant, was shot on July 13 in front of his wife and three-year-old daughter during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine, according to his neighbor Nelson Elias told CNN.
According to USA Today, ICE targeted Guerrero after he attempted to evade a roadside stop, sparking nationwide outrage over the use of federal force. The American resource noted that the Colombian man had a work permit in the country, possessed a social security number, and worked two jobs: cleaning a veterinary clinic and delivering food.
An ICE agent fired a shot, fearing for public safety, when the victim 'attempted to flee the scene.'
