Court mandates ICE free witness in Houston shooting case
A federal judge in Houston ordered ICE to release Daniel Tirado Pantoja, a witness to the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by agency officers. The judge ruled that continued detention violated due process, citing no criminal history or flight risk. The shooting has drawn scrutiny over ICE tactics and the agency's account of events.
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The ruling marks the second time a federal judge has intervened on behalf of passengers in the van. José Trinidad Rojas Pliego was ordered released last month under similar circumstances, while Victor Salgado, brother of the deceased, remains in custody. Tirado Pantoja's release must occur at a public location with three hours' advance notice to his counsel or a friend, and any identification documents seized during detention must be returned.
The shooting occurred after ICE officers in