Mexico condemned on Wednesday the deaths of 13 Mexican citizens in U.S. immigration operations or ICE custody between 2025 and 2026, during a press briefing by President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration at the National Palace.

Mexico’s Subsecretary for North America, Roberto Velasco, condemned on Wednesday, the deaths of 13 Mexican citizens in U.S. immigration operations or under Inmigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody between 2025 and 2026, calling the situation “unacceptable, painful, and heartbreaking.”

This critical declaration was made during the customary press briefing held by President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace on March 25, 2026. Velasco further detailed that the deceased individuals ranged in age from 19 to 69 years old, underscoring the broad impact across different demographics within the Mexican community.

According to official information provided, the deaths occurred across various U.S. states. Four fatalities were reported in California, three in Georgia, and two in Arizona. Additionally, Texas, Florida, Missouri, and Illinois each accounted for one death. The official report indicated that six individuals died due to medical complications, while four took their own lives. Two others died during ICE operations, and one Mexican citizen was killed in a shooting incident that took place at an ICE facility.

Velasco affirmed that Mexico provided support for the repatriation of remains in five of these cases, with the remaining families opting to conduct funeral services in the United States.

Text reads: “13 Mexicans have died in ICE custody between 2025 and 2026! It was reported by Roberto Velasco, Subsecretary for North America.”

In response to these deeply concerning deaths, the Sheinbaum Administration has engaged in robust diplomatic actions. The Mexican Subsecretary reported that the country dispatched 14 diplomatic communications to Washington, expressing its “enormous concern and rejection of such occurrences.” Velasco emphasized that, acting under the President’s instructions, the Mexican Government has been “very emphatic in this demand.”

In return, Mexico received 12 responses from the U.S. Department of State, which informed the Mexican authorities that the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility had opened investigations into all reported deaths. Velasco reiterated that Mexico will be closely monitoring the outcomes of these investigations, seeking justice for the affected families.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente denounced the toughening of U.S. immigration policies under the current Donald Trump Administration, which began in January 2025. Under these policies, ICE has detained 177,192 Mexican citizens, with 13,722 currently remaining in detention centers.

In response to this increasingly stringent environment, the Mexican consular network has intensified its protection efforts, conducting 12,866 visits to detention centers and providing more than 20,000 legal advisories to Mexican nationals. Presently, legal resources are actively engaged for nine of the victims, with legal representation coordinated either by the Foreign Ministry or through private attorneys.

President Sheinbaum reaffirmed her Government’s unwavering commitment, stating that in her dialogues with the U.S. Administration, she has consistently prioritized the defense of the Human Rights of Mexican workers. She stressed that Mexico “will continue to insist that there must be an investigation to determine the cause and ensure justice” for the deceased citizens.

The Mexican Government remains resolute in advocating for its nationals facing challenging conditions in the United States, particularly amid increasing immigration enforcement.

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