Mexico Seeks Criminal Charges in Death of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez and 16 Others

Mexico has formally requested criminal charges in the deaths of 17 Mexican nationals, including Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who was shot by an ICE agent in Franklin Park last September. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the agent was attempting to arrest Villegas-Gonzalez, who allegedly tried to flee and ram the agents with his vehicle.

An autopsy revealed that Villegas-Gonzalez was shot in the neck at close range and had cocaine in his system at the time of the incident. Following the shooting, Illinois State Police initiated an investigation, with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office indicating it would support the inquiry.

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's office has not commented on Mexico's request for charges. Previously, Burke stated that her office would act if a federal agent committed a crime. A request for a special prosecutor to investigate federal agent misconduct was denied by a Cook County judge.

In January, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson directed local police to report any illegal activities by federal agents to the State's Attorney's Office. A report published earlier this year documented misconduct by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz and recommended accountability measures.

While Mexico's request for prosecution lacks legal authority, it will be submitted to state prosecutors and the U.S. Department of Justice, alongside civil lawsuits against ICE detention center operators.