Mexico announced on Thursday that it will seek criminal investigations in the United States into the deaths of Mexican citizens who died while in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody or during immigration enforcement operations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said the decision marks a stronger response after previous diplomatic efforts failed to produce the desired outcome.
According to the Mexican government, 14 Mexican nationals have died while in ICE custody and three others were killed during immigration enforcement operations.
The announcement follows the fatal shooting of 52-year-old Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during an ICE operation in Houston earlier this week.
His death has intensified scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices and added to tensions between the neighboring countries.
Sheinbaum said Mexico would file formal complaints with state and federal prosecutors in the United States against those considered responsible for what the government views as homicides or human rights violations.
She said Mexico would continue maintaining diplomatic relations but could not ignore the deaths of its citizens.
Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said repeated diplomatic protests had failed to achieve meaningful progress.
He said Mexico would move beyond diplomatic channels by asking U.S. prosecutors to investigate the incidents as criminal matters.
Velasco also announced plans to file civil lawsuits against the private companies operating immigration detention centers in the United States.
Mexican officials said the government has previously pursued diplomatic and international measures, including raising concerns with human rights bodies and increasing consular oversight of detention facilities.
Salgado Araujo had lived in the United States for decades and was transporting a construction crew when he was shot during the operation.
His family has called for a full investigation into the incident.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Salgado Araujo ignored officers' commands and attempted to ram an agent with his vehicle, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense.
In response to the broader criticism, the department said there has been no increase in detainee death rates under the current administration and that detainees receive due process, medical care, food, water, and opportunities to communicate with relatives and legal representatives.
Mexico's latest move represents its strongest response so far as disputes over immigration enforcement continue to strain bilateral relations.