On July 13, during an operation by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) in the state of Maine, a Colombian immigrant was reportedly shot dead by one of the members of the immigration entity.
Later, it was learned that the deceased was identified as Johan Sebastián Durán, a 26-year-old young man originally from Bucaramanga, capital of the department of Santander.
After Durán’s death, there have been several versions of what happened. ICE claims that one of its agents opened fire after the Colombian allegedly used his vehicle against members of the organization.
But several witnesses and videos spread on social networks cast doubt on this statement, as they show that Durán’s vehicle continued moving after the shots were fired.
ICE also said that the Colombian was not the target of the operation carried out in the community of Biddeford, as they were looking for another immigrant who had a deportation order.
In turn, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the agents also fired for public safety reasons.
However, Durán’s death caused rejection among both the migrant population in the United States and human rights organizations.
The civil rights organization LatinoJustice called the death an “atrocity against human rights” and called for a “transparent” investigation into what happened.
The organizations Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC) and Presente! They reported on Monday that the deceased was a 26-year-old Colombian with a work permit and Social Security number, and demanded a “rapid, independent and transparent” investigation of the case.
Durán Guerrero had emigrated to the United States in search of job opportunities and lived in the city of Biddeford, where he died during an operation by immigration agents that has generated protests and calls for an independent investigation, according to the newspaper. Vanguardfrom Bucaramanga.