Witness Held in ICE Shooting Case | San Francisco News

A federal judge has blocked the deportation of Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a key witness in the fatal shooting of homebuilder Lorenzo Araujo Salgado by ICE officers in Houston. Rojas Pliego, who was in the van with Salgado on July 7, claims he’s being held illegally and wants to stay in the U.S. while his case unfolds. This incident is part of a disturbing trend: just days after Salgado’s death, two other men were fatally shot by immigration officers in Maine and Florida. The passengers, including Daniel Tirado Pantoja, are challenging their detention, while ICE insists Salgado was attempting to run over an officer — a claim contradicted by prosecutors who suspect the officers may have targeted the wrong people. Salgado, a 52-year-old father of three who’d lived in the U.S. for 35 years and was close to legal status, is now remembered as a victim caught in a web of legal and procedural chaos. The Harris County DA is pushing for witness visas, but the process is stalled. Meanwhile, Salgado’s brother faces his own immigration hearing, with lawyers fearing retaliation. The FBI found what they claimed was meth in the van — the defense says it was just salt for hydration — adding another layer to this complex, high-stakes legal battle. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/68ac3f26557ca55d