Know Your Rights. Protect Human Dignity. Demand Accountability.
Immigration status does not erase a person’s humanity or every constitutional protection. This page provides practical information for encounters with immigration enforcement, family preparedness, detention resources, legal-help pathways, citizenship developments, and public accountability.
We are also following the August 6, 2026 executive orders addressing birthright citizenship and so-called birth tourism, new federal actions affecting legal immigration and international students, and the investigations into the fatal ICE-involved shootings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford.
Use This Page To
- Follow changes involving birthright citizenship and birth-tourism policy
- Understand basic rights during an ICE encounter
- Recognize judicial and administrative warrants
- Prepare children, caregivers, documents, and emergency contacts
- Locate a person in immigration detention
- Check immigration-court information
- Find authorized immigration legal help
- Report misconduct and request investigation
- Follow developing ICE accountability cases
Immigration enforcement must never operate beyond accountability.
Every person—citizen or noncitizen—deserves dignity. Government authority must be exercised lawfully, accurately, transparently, and with restraint.
Immigration enforcement may involve complex civil and criminal laws, but no enforcement mission excuses unnecessary force, mistaken identity, hidden evidence, denial of due process, or the silencing of families and witnesses.
Raise Your Voice supports informed action: know the law, preserve verified facts, protect families, contact the offices with authority, and demand independent review when government action causes harm.
Core Principles
- Human rights do not depend on political popularity.
- Constitutional protections extend beyond citizenship.
- Due process matters in every enforcement system.
- Official accounts must be tested against evidence.
- Deadly force demands independent scrutiny.
- Families deserve timely and truthful information.
- Public safety includes immigrant communities.
Birthright Citizenship & Birth Tourism Watch
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders addressing birthright citizenship and so-called birth tourism. The orders are narrower than the administration’s earlier attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, but they raise constitutional and implementation questions that RYV will continue to track.
A parent’s undocumented status, temporary immigration status, or lack of U.S. citizenship does not by itself mean a U.S.-born child has suddenly lost citizenship. Families facing an actual denial should obtain qualified legal advice rather than relying on headlines or social-media claims.
Foreign Government Personnel
The citizenship order addresses certain children whose parents are foreign ambassadors, embassy or consular personnel, certain foreign-government employees acting in an official capacity, or certain international-organization employees possessing immunity.
“Alien Enemy” & Terrorism Categories
The order also identifies certain parents classified by the administration as “alien enemies,” including specified terrorism-related categories.
Commercial Citizenship Transactions
The order targets situations in which the government alleges that a commercial transaction was intentionally structured to obtain birthright citizenship, including certain travel or surrogacy arrangements.
Certain Territorial Births
The order also addresses certain births in U.S. territories or territorial waters where citizenship is not otherwise conferred by federal statute.
What does the “birth tourism” order do?
The administration defines birth tourism around a foreign national entering the United States through a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth so that the child obtains U.S. citizenship.
Possible Immigration Consequences
The order directs federal agencies to use available legal authorities in cases the government determines involve birth tourism. Depending on the circumstances, actions may include:
- Visa or travel-authorization denial
- Revocation of an existing visa
- Denial of admission into the United States
- Removal proceedings where legally authorized
- Restrictions on future entry
Facilitators & Businesses
The order also directs federal agencies to examine individuals, businesses, or organizations accused of facilitating commercial birth-tourism arrangements.
- Immigration consequences may be pursued under existing law.
- Businesses may face additional federal scrutiny.
- Specific consequences will depend on agency guidance and applicable law.
The order focuses on the government’s determination of the purpose for entering the United States. A pregnant person should not assume that pregnancy alone places them within the order. Individual visa circumstances, statements made during the visa or entry process, documentation, and the purpose of travel may matter.
Pay attention to actual government action—not rumors.
Seek qualified immigration or citizenship counsel promptly if a federal agency takes an adverse action affecting you or your child.
Citizenship Document Denied
A passport, citizenship record, Social Security-related document, or other federal document is denied because the government claims the child is not a U.S. citizen.
Visa or Entry Action
A visa is denied or revoked, or CBP denies admission, because officials allege that the purpose of travel was to give birth in the United States.
Foreign Government Employment
A child’s citizenship is questioned because a parent works for a foreign government, embassy, consulate, or qualifying international organization.
Surrogacy Questions
A commercial surrogacy arrangement involving foreign intended parents is questioned under the new citizenship order.
Commercial Birth Arrangement
A company, organizer, travel service, or other intermediary arranged U.S. travel specifically around childbirth and citizenship.
Federal Notice Received
You receive a written notice from State, DHS, USCIS, CBP, Social Security, or another federal agency citing either August 6 order.
What should families do?
- Keep every document. Preserve birth certificates, passports, immigration records, visa applications, travel records, hospital records, government correspondence, and denial notices.
- Document the interaction. Record the date, agency, location, official’s name when available, reference number, and exact explanation given.
- Do not sign documents you do not understand. Ask for an interpreter and legal counsel when appropriate.
- Do not rely solely on social media. An executive order, agency guidance, court order, and individual immigration case can each affect the legal analysis differently.
- Contact qualified legal help promptly. Citizenship and immigration disputes can involve strict deadlines.
What Raise Your Voice Is Watching Now
The legal fight over the August 6 citizenship orders has moved forward on multiple tracks. On August 11, civil-rights organizations asked a federal court in New Hampshire to clarify that children protected by the existing nationwide class-action judgment remain protected from the new executive action.
On August 28, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland declined to immediately block the new 2026 order because the existing lawsuit before her had not yet been amended to challenge it. However, she allowed the plaintiffs to supplement their complaint and set a fast briefing schedule. During the hearing, she questioned the legal basis for creating new exceptions to birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court’s June 30 ruling.
The Justice Department told the Maryland court that federal agencies had not yet issued the implementation guidance needed to carry out the August 6 order and that guidance is expected by September 5. RYV will continue following:
- The New Hampshire class-action proceedings involving the August 6 citizenship orders
- The Maryland challenge and any amended complaint, injunction, or further court order
- Federal implementation guidance expected by September 5
- Any appeal or additional Supreme Court action
- State Department visa-policy changes
- DHS, USCIS, and CBP implementation
- Social Security and passport-documentation practices
- Verified cases in which citizenship documentation is denied under the new policy
- Changes to enforcement involving alleged birth tourism
Legal immigration is changing too.
Immigration policy changes are not limited to border enforcement or people without lawful status. Recent federal actions and court rulings are also affecting immigrant-visa applicants, international students, universities, and noncitizens exercising constitutional rights.
Worldwide Immigrant-Visa Appointments Paused
On August 26, the State Department announced a temporary worldwide pause on immigrant-visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates while consular officers undergo new training. The administration says the training is intended to strengthen screening related to whether applicants may become dependent on public benefits and to make those evaluations more consistent.
The pause affects people pursuing legal permanent immigration through the consular process. Applicants should rely on instructions from the specific embassy or consulate handling their case and should not assume a postponed interview means the underlying petition or case has been denied.
Read the August 26 ReportInternational-Student Internship Rules Tightened
New federal guidance is pressing universities to apply stricter scrutiny to Curricular Practical Training, or CPT, used by F-1 international students for internships and practical training. The government says the underlying regulations have not changed but is warning schools against authorizing CPT that is not genuinely integral to a student’s curriculum.
Some universities have paused or narrowed certain CPT approvals while reviewing the guidance. International students should obtain school-specific advice from their designated school official before accepting, beginning, or changing employment or internship activity.
Read the August 28 ReportFederal Judge Protects Noncitizen Student Speech
On August 29, Reuters reported that a federal judge in California ruled that the government may not use immigration authorities to revoke visas or pursue deportation of noncitizen students because of constitutionally protected pro-Palestinian advocacy.
The court found that the challenged use of immigration law violated First and Fifth Amendment protections. The ruling is an important reminder that immigration status does not erase every constitutional protection. Further litigation or appeals may follow.
Read the August 29 Court UpdateVisa appointments, student-work authorization practices, agency guidance, enforcement priorities, and court rulings can change quickly. Keep every notice, confirm instructions with the issuing agency or school, and obtain qualified legal advice when a change directly affects your status, travel, employment authorization, visa, or removal risk.
Two fatal shootings. Six days apart. Neither man was the reported target.
The circumstances remain under investigation and key accounts are disputed. RYV will distinguish confirmed facts, official claims, witness accounts, allegations, court actions, and final investigative findings.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, was fatally shot by an ICE officer during an enforcement operation.
- Federal officials said agents were looking for two Guatemalan men associated with a similar white van.
- DHS acknowledged that Salgado Araujo was not the intended target.
- The initial DHS account alleged that his van struck an ICE vehicle and that the officer fired in self-defense.
- Witnesses have disputed key portions of the government’s description.
- Federal agents at the scene were not equipped with body cameras.
- The Harris County District Attorney opened an independent local investigation.
- Independent investigation funding: Harris County Commissioners Court approved approximately $2.52 million over three years for the District Attorney’s independent investigation. The funding can support additional personnel, overtime, technology, and other investigative needs.
- METRO and other video evidence: Investigators know of video from a Houston METRO bus that passed the area around the time of the shooting and have reviewed surveillance footage showing portions of the pursuit. No video showing the shooting itself has been publicly released.
- Official laboratory result: U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz confirmed that laboratory testing of the white crystal-like substance recovered from Lorenzo’s work van was negative for methamphetamine. Authorities have not publicly identified what the substance actually was.
- Family account of the substance: An attorney for Lorenzo’s family says the material was a homemade electrolyte mixture used by Lorenzo and members of his construction crew for hydration. That explanation remains the family’s account; the confirmed laboratory finding is that the substance was not methamphetamine.
- Two eyewitnesses released: Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego was released from ICE custody after a federal judge granted his habeas petition. Daniel Tirado Pantoja was ordered released on August 25 and was physically released from ICE custody on August 26. Both were passengers in Lorenzo’s van and are material witnesses.
- Víctor Salgado Araujo remains detained: Lorenzo’s brother, who was seated in the front passenger seat and witnessed the shooting, remains in immigration detention. His attorney says his request for temporary legal status and release has seen movement, but a final decision had not been announced as of this update.
- Grand jury is next: On August 28, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said his office plans to begin bringing witnesses before a grand jury in the next few weeks. The grand jury can hear sworn testimony, compel reluctant witnesses, subpoena records, and ultimately determine whether the evidence supports an indictment. No charging decision has been announced.
- Four ICE agents identified to prosecutors: Teare said his office now knows the names of the four ICE agents who pursued Lorenzo’s van. He declined to identify them publicly because of the anticipated grand-jury proceedings.
- Texas DPS disputes ICE’s written account: A newly disclosed federal filing containing ICE officers’ accounts says the enforcement team had previously received intelligence from Texas Department of Public Safety troopers about two people associated with a white van. DPS publicly said the document is “incorrect” and that it did not provide ICE information related to this incident, the location, the vehicles, the individuals involved, or Lorenzo.
- Emergency lights and sirens are disputed: The federal filing says ICE officers activated emergency lights and sirens while trying to stop the van. The Texas Tribune reported that emergency equipment is not visible in footage of portions of the pursuit it reviewed. Teare also said the emergency equipment was not activated during footage he discussed publicly.
- Key federal records still missing: Teare said his office still had not received the field-operations worksheet explaining the justification for stopping Lorenzo’s van or ICE’s pursuit and use-of-force policies. He has said his office may file a federal lawsuit against DHS to obtain information.
- Delayed access to the shooting scene: Teare said Harris County investigators were not given access to the scene until the day after the shooting, which he said made the independent investigation more difficult.
- Federal filing disclosure dispute: The U.S. Attorney’s Office objected to public dissemination of the newly disclosed ICE records, saying the documents were protected limited-access filings and raising concerns about identifying agents and affecting the investigation.
Current status: The Harris County investigation is moving toward grand-jury proceedings. Two of the three eyewitness passengers are out of ICE custody; Víctor Salgado Araujo remains detained. No criminal charge, final prosecutorial determination, final investigative finding, body-camera footage, or official public release of video showing the shooting itself has been announced.
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was fatally shot by an ICE officer during a vehicle encounter connected to an enforcement operation.
- Reporting and public officials later said he was not the person originally sought in the operation.
- DHS said the officer believed a moving vehicle posed a danger.
- The account remains subject to investigation and demands for independent verification.
- The agents involved reportedly were not wearing body cameras.
- Maine officials and members of Congress have called for transparency and impartial review.
- Later reporting raised questions about ICE hiring, vetting, training, and oversight.
- Maine Attorney General confirms active investigation: On August 17, Attorney General Aaron M. Frey stated that his office continues to actively investigate Johan’s shooting death.
- State legal scope: The Attorney General stated that under Maine law, his office has responsibility for both a criminal homicide investigation and review of deadly force used by law enforcement acting in an official capacity. The office says it is collecting, processing, and analyzing evidence to determine whether Maine law authorizes legal action.
- Deadly Force Review Panel: After the Attorney General’s investigation is complete, the investigative file will be provided to Maine’s Deadly Force Review Panel for review and recommendations.
- Jurisdiction limitation: The Attorney General stated that neither his office nor the Deadly Force Review Panel has jurisdiction over broader DHS policies and practices; those matters fall to the federal government and Congress.
- August 17 congressional shadow hearing occurred: House Homeland Security Committee Democrats held the public Biddeford hearing. The committee posted witness information, statements, supporting documents, and video. The forum was an oversight proceeding, not a final investigative finding or charging decision.
- New information about ICE’s intended target: At the August 17 hearing, Rep. Chellie Pingree said information obtained through congressional inquiry showed that ICE’s intended target was Johan’s roommate, who owned the car Johan was driving, and that the roommate was not subject to a final order of removal. Associated Press reporting also said Johan himself had a pending asylum claim and valid work authorization.
- DHS disputes that characterization: DHS maintained that agents were conducting surveillance on an individual with a final order of removal and said it had never publicly identified Johan or his roommate as that target. The conflict over who ICE was actually seeking and the legal basis for the operation remains an unresolved factual issue.
- Johan returned home to Colombia: After more than a month of repatriation arrangements, Johan’s remains were returned to Bucaramanga, Colombia. Funeral services and burial were held on August 27 at Parque Memorial Tierra Santa. His family’s ability to lay him to rest does not resolve the investigation; the Maine Attorney General’s homicide and deadly-force review remains active.
Current status: Johan has been returned to his family and laid to rest in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The Maine Attorney General’s homicide and deadly-force investigation remains active. No final investigative finding, criminal charge, final prosecutorial determination, body-camera footage, or official public release of video showing the shooting itself has been announced.
Body-worn cameras: ICE says it is rapidly expanding body-worn cameras nationwide and expects every officer and agent working in the field to be equipped by the end of August. ICE’s body-camera directive requires activation as soon as practicable at the beginning of enforcement activity, but agency leadership retains significant discretion over the timing and public release of footage after serious injuries or deaths. Neither Lorenzo’s nor Johan’s July shooting was recorded by an ICE body camera.
Reported deadly-force policy change: The Atlantic reported on August 26 that ICE changed its internal rules so officers involved in deadly-force incidents are to remain on administrative duty until the investigation is complete, rather than potentially returning to regular field work within days. RYV will continue watching for the written policy and how it is applied in actual cases.
Ask officers to slide it under the door or hold it against a window. Check the signature, address, date, and scope.
Stay calm. Be clear. Do not physically resist.
These phrases may help communicate that you are exercising your rights without escalating the encounter.
Document safely without interfering.
Video, photographs, timestamps, names, locations, and contemporaneous notes may matter—but safety and lawful distance come first.
During the Encounter
- Remain at a safe distance and do not enter restricted areas.
- Do not touch officers, vehicles, weapons, or evidence.
- State that you are observing and not interfering.
- Record only from a place where you may lawfully be.
- Capture agency markings, vehicle plates, time, location, and commands when safe.
After the Encounter
- Preserve the original, unedited file.
- Back it up privately before posting publicly.
- Write down what you personally saw and heard.
- Separate firsthand observations from assumptions.
- Protect children, medical details, addresses, and private identities.
- Consult counsel before public release when legal risk is high.
Prepare before an emergency—not during one.
Immigration-related detention can separate parents, caregivers, workers, and loved ones without warning.
Trusted Contacts
Choose an attorney, emergency contact, caregiver, employer contact, and person authorized to retrieve records.
Children & Caregiving
Update school pickup lists, medical permissions, guardianship documents, routines, medications, and special needs.
Important Documents
Secure passports, birth certificates, immigration records, A-numbers, court notices, and attorney information.
Financial Access
Review lawful powers of attorney, bill access, bank information, leases, vehicles, and household obligations.
Medical Information
List medications, allergies, doctors, insurance, diagnoses, and consent information.
Communication Plan
Memorize key numbers and decide who will contact attorneys, schools, consulates, employers, and relatives.
Use official tools—and verify who is offering legal help.
Only licensed attorneys and properly accredited representatives may provide authorized immigration legal services. Avoid notario fraud and guaranteed-outcome promises.
Locate a Person in ICE Custody
Search ICE’s Online Detainee Locator using the person’s identifying information or A-number.
Open the Detainee LocatorCheck Immigration Court Information
Use EOIR’s case-status system. Court notices remain the official source of hearing information.
Check EOIR Case StatusEOIR Case Hotline
Automated immigration-court information may be available by phone. Have the A-number ready.
Call 1-800-898-7180Find an Immigration Attorney
Use the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Immigration Lawyer Search to locate participating immigration attorneys.
Search AILA LawyersFind Nonprofit Legal Help
Search for nonprofit immigration legal-service organizations and verify authorization.
Search the Legal DirectoryVerify Accredited Help
Use the DOJ Recognition and Accreditation Program to verify recognized organizations and accredited representatives.
Verify Accredited HelpChoose the office with authority over the problem.
Preserve evidence and write down the date, time, recipient, and complaint or reference number.
Immediate Danger or Medical Emergency
Call 911 when someone is injured, threatened, missing, or in urgent medical danger. Clearly state the location and immediate risk.
DHS Inspector General
Report alleged fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or criminal misconduct involving DHS programs or personnel.
Local & State Accountability
- Local police or sheriff for immediate scene response
- County or district attorney for possible criminal review
- State attorney general for civil-rights or state-law concerns
- Medical examiner or coroner for death-investigation records
- State legislators when oversight or legislation is needed
Federal Oversight
- Your U.S. representative
- Both U.S. senators from your state
- Relevant congressional oversight and judiciary committees
- DHS Office of Inspector General
- Department of Justice when federal review may apply
Request transparency without spreading unverified claims.
Customize this for a representative, prosecutor, attorney general, inspector general, or agency with jurisdiction.
Subject: Request for Independent Investigation and Public Accountability
Dear [Official’s Name],
I am writing to request a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into [incident or case]. When government enforcement results in serious injury or death, the public deserves a review based on preserved evidence—not only the account of the agency involved.
Please use the authority of your office to seek preservation and lawful release of body-camera footage, surveillance video, vehicle evidence, dispatch records, radio communications, use-of-force reports, warrant information, personnel and training records, witness statements, forensic findings, and the identity of every investigating agency.
Please clarify whether the person harmed was the intended enforcement target, what de-escalation measures were attempted, which use-of-force policy applied, whether an independent prosecutor or investigative agency is involved, and when the public can expect verified findings.
Immigration status must never be used to avoid accountability. Human dignity, due process, public safety, and equal protection require transparency.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City and State]
[Contact Information]
Enforcement without accountability is a danger to everyone.
These safeguards protect immigrants, citizens, officers, witnesses, and the integrity of investigations.
Independent Investigations
Fatal and serious-force incidents should not depend solely on the agency whose personnel used force.
Body Cameras
Deploy cameras with enforceable activation, preservation, disclosure, and discipline policies.
Evidence Preservation
Secure video, dispatch, vehicle, forensic, personnel, and witness evidence immediately.
Accurate Identification
Strengthen verification before stops, entries, arrests, and high-risk operations.
De-Escalation
Require tactics that reduce predictable vehicle, crowd, family, and bystander risks whenever feasible.
Public Findings
Release timely, evidence-based findings while protecting lawful privacy and active investigations.
Sources, Updates & Editorial Standard
This page reflects public information reviewed through August 29, 2026. Developing details may change. RYV distinguishes verified facts, official government positions, witness accounts, allegations, pending legal claims, court actions, and conclusions reached by investigators or courts.
- White House: August 6, 2026 executive order on American citizenship
- White House: August 6, 2026 executive order on birth tourism
- U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas: preliminary statement on Lorenzo Salgado Araujo shooting
- Texas Tribune: Harris County investigation funding, federal evidence access, and METRO video
- Texas Tribune: laboratory result on substance recovered from Lorenzo’s van
- Associated Press: U.S. Attorney confirms substance tested negative for methamphetamine
- Texas Tribune: federal judge orders release of Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego
- Texas Tribune: August 25 order requiring release of Daniel Tirado Pantoja
- Associated Press: Daniel Tirado Pantoja released from ICE detention
- Texas Tribune: August 28 grand-jury, federal-evidence, DPS-tip, pursuit, and scene-access developments
- ABC13 Houston: August 29 federal ICE records and Texas DPS dispute
- EL PAÍS: federal response opposing Daniel Tirado Pantoja’s habeas petition
- City of Biddeford: mayoral updates on the Maine shooting and investigation
- Maine Attorney General: August 17 statement confirming active homicide and deadly-force investigation
- House Homeland Security Committee Democrats: August 17 shadow hearing information
- Associated Press: August 18 reporting on the intended target of the Biddeford ICE operation
- House Homeland Security Committee Democrats: August 11 media advisory
- Associated Press: reporting on the ICE officer involved in the Maine shooting
- Associated Press: ICE nationwide body-camera rollout and footage-release policy
- ICE Directive 19010.3: Body Worn Camera policy
- The Atlantic: August 26 reporting on ICE’s deadly-force administrative-duty policy change
- ACLU: August 11 federal-court filing concerning the new birthright-citizenship orders
- Reuters: August 28 Maryland court hearing on the new birthright-citizenship order
- Reuters: August 26 worldwide pause on immigrant-visa appointments
- Reuters: August 28 international-student CPT internship guidance
- Reuters: August 29 federal ruling involving noncitizen student speech and immigration enforcement
- Canal TRO: August 28 report on Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero’s repatriation and August 27 burial
- ACLU: Immigrants’ Rights
- AILA Lawyer: Immigration Lawyer Search
- ICE Online Detainee Locator System
- DOJ EOIR: Check Case Status
- DHS Office of Inspector General Hotline
- DOJ Recognition and Accreditation Program
Legal notice: Raise Your Voice and Bridge & Beyond Inc. do not provide legal representation through this page. Immigration and citizenship law can change through statutes, executive action, agency guidance, regulations, litigation, injunctions, and court decisions. Consult a licensed immigration attorney or authorized DOJ-accredited representative regarding an individual case.
Know the Facts. Know Your Rights. Know Who to Call.
Human dignity does not disappear at the sight of a badge, a warrant, a detention center, or a border. Protect your family, preserve the truth, and raise your voice with knowledge and purpose.