Judge temporarily blocks deportation of witness to fatal Houston ICE shooting

Judge temporarily blocks deportation of witness: Legal Stay Prevents Removal of Key Witness in Houston ICE Shooting Case Cyberzenhub.com – A federal

Legal Stay Prevents Removal of Key Witness in Houston ICE Shooting Case

Cyberzenhub.com – A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the deportation of a crucial witness connected to the fatal shooting that occurred during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Houston. The judge temporarily blocks deportation of witness Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego while the court reviews his legal petition. According to the order filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Judge Keith P. Ellison ruled that Pliego cannot be removed from the country or transferred outside the Southern District of Texas jurisdiction during the proceedings.

The incident took place on July 7, 2026, when Pliego was riding in a van with Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a routine traffic stop. Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national who had resided and worked in the United States for 35 years, was fatally shot by an ICE agent. According to court documents, Pliego has no criminal record and was present in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The judge temporarily blocks deportation of witness as part of efforts to ensure all relevant parties remain available for the ongoing investigation and potential legal proceedings.

Family Ties and Community Impact

Pliego’s attorney, Raed Gonzalez, has highlighted the deep roots his client has in the Houston community. Gonzalez stated that Pliego, who is undocumented, has lived in the United States since 1998 and is common-law married to a U.S. citizen. The family unit includes three biological children and four stepchildren, all of whom hold U.S. citizenship. These strong family connections form a significant part of the legal argument against deportation.

Another witness in the case, Daniel Tirado Pantoja, also faces potential removal. According to the court filing, Pantoja has been in the country since 1996 and has a son and stepdaughter who are both U.S. citizens. Gonzalez emphasized in his habeas petition that Pantoja similarly has no criminal record. Both men are currently being held at the Montgomery ICE Processing Center in Conroe, Texas, pending further legal developments.

Attorney Raed Gonzalez petitioned the court for the release of Pliego and another witness who was riding in the vehicle, Daniel Tirado Pantoja. Both men were detained by federal agents after the incident.

ICE Operation and Ongoing Investigation

ICE officials initially alleged that Salgado Araujo failed to follow verbal commands and “weaponized his vehicle” by attempting to run over an officer during the stop. The agent subsequently fired their weapon “in self-defense.” However, local elected leaders have clarified that Salgado Araujo was not the intended target of the ICE operation. No formal charges have been filed, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continues.

A separate attorney has filed a similar petition for Victor Hugo Salgado Araujo, the brother of the man who was killed, who has also been detained by federal authorities. The death of Salgado Araujo has sparked peaceful protests throughout Houston and has prompted calls from some Texas Democrats for ICE to reduce its immigration enforcement operations in the area.

The legal proceedings are expected to continue as courts consider the petitions filed on behalf of the detained individuals. The judge temporarily blocks deportation of witness decisions reflect the court’s recognition of the importance of these individuals to the broader investigation and potential civil litigation. Community members have placed flowers at the site where Salgado Araujo was killed, demonstrating ongoing support for the family and the witnesses involved in the case.

-ABC News’ Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.