UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed insisted that laws must guarantee the protection of fundamental human rights and effective access to justice for any individual, regardless of their immigration status. “The laws have to work for you and your rights,” said the Nigerian diplomat.

The United Nations (UN) expressed its concern about the recent deaths of migrants recorded during operations and in the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) in the United States, while calling on the US authorities to guarantee respect for the rule of law and the fundamental rights of all people, regardless of their immigration status.

During an official visit to Mexico City, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed stated that any violation of human rights should be a cause of concern for the international community and stressed the importance of laws functioning as a protection mechanism for those seeking justice.

The official added that the "rule of law" must prevail and recalled that every person must have access to legal remedies when they consider that their rights have been violated "We should all be concerned when people's rights are taken away. But I believe that the conversations between the Government of Mexico and the United States continue," Mohammed declared in an interview with the EFE agency.

Mexico promotes legal actions for 17 deaths

The statements by the United Nations representative come after the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented complaints to US courts for the deaths of 17 Mexican citizens that occurred in ICE custody or during immigration operations. The Mexican government also formally requested the UN to rule on these cases.

Although Mohammed avoided referring directly to that diplomatic request, he insisted that respect for the rule of law constitutes the basis for guaranteeing the protection of human rights.

"That's why the laws are built, it's for your rights. The laws have to work for you and your rights," he said.

The issue once again occupied a central place on the bilateral agenda after the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican citizen who died on July 7 in Houston, Texas, after being shot by an ICE agent during an immigration operation, according to Mexican authorities.

Case revives debate on immigration policy

After that incident, the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, asked the United States government to avoid the “criminalization” of the migrant community and called on the different political and social sectors to maintain solidarity with Mexicans living in United States territory.

The Mexican Executive also announced that it would stop limiting its efforts to the diplomatic sphere to also resort to criminal proceedings in the United States in cases of fellow citizens who have died since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, a period marked by a tightening of immigration policies and an increase in detention operations.

As part of his visit to Mexico, Mohammed also held a meeting with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Velasco, to address the strengthening of multilateralism, the reforms promoted within the UN, cooperation between Mexico and the United Nations System, as well as issues related to women, peace and security, sustainable development and artificial intelligence.

The senior official's statements reflect the growing international attention on the conditions under which immigration operations are carried out in the United States, while investigations and legal processes related to the deaths of Mexican citizens in custody or during immigration enforcement actions continue.

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