Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego remains in Texas custody as federal judge halts his deportation following a fatal ICE shooting.

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to halt the deportation of Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a witness in the fatal shooting of a Mexican homebuilder by federal agents. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison requires Rojas Pliego to remain in the Southern District of Texas while his habeas petition is pending. The incident occurred on July 7 when an ICE officer shot Lorenzo Araujo Salgado, who was driving a van to a construction site. While the administration announced that Salgado Araujo attempted to ram an officer, his family and the passengers in the van dispute this account. The shooting has sparked significant local interest, leading to a "Day of Action" protest and a call for an independent investigation by the Texas Rangers. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is currently assisting the three passengers, including Rojas Pliego and Daniel Tirado Pantoja, in applying for U visas as material witnesses.

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