KERN COUNTY YOUNG DEMOCRATS’ STATEMENT ON BRUTAL MURDER OF LORENZO SALGADO ARAUJO

KERN COUNTY, CA, JULY 9 2026 –  The Kern County Young Democrats stand in solidarity with the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction worker who was brutally murdered on the streets of Houston. 

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was, above all else, our neighbor. He was a father and a member of his community. It is noted that he woke each day with a kiss to his wife as he left for work. For 35 years, he has been in the United States doing this, pursuing the American dream. He had been in the process of obtaining legal status via a work permit.

On July 6, 2026, Araujo was on his way to work when he was targeted by masked ICE agents who claimed that Araujo attempted to run over them, resulting in them shooting him multiple times. This is not the first time ICE agents claimed this lie to justify killing an unarmed person. Like Rene Goode, Araujo was denied first aid and instead put in handcuffs. The Trump administration claimed that it would only target those with criminal records but has instead repeatedly targeted working-class immigrant communities and unarmed civilians without any accountability. 

We must call this what it was. It was not an “officer-involved shooting.” This was murder at the hands of ICE agents, fueled by the xenophobia coming from Washington. 

The Kern County Democrats stand in strong support of our immigrant neighbors, and demand an immediate cease for all ICE-related funding. We call on our members and neighbors to call your democratic representatives and demand that they cease all funding for ICE. We also call on our community to contact your representatives and demand that they pass legislation to unmask these agents and to hold this administration accountable!

 Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, PRESENTE!