Sign in

Lomi Kriel

@lomikriel.bsky.social
16K followers 1.5K following 128 posts

Investigative reporter @texastribune.org Prior: @propublica.org @houstonchronicle.com @reuters.com, etc. Polk Award winner, Pulitzer finalist. Immigrant, proudly 🇿🇦. 📧lkriel@texastribune.org. Tell me stuff.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
annaflagg.bsky.social @annaflagg.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
ARRESTS BY STATE: Some of the top states with the most child arrests so far include California, Texas, New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Use the tool to see more data and breakdowns: www.themarshallproject.org/2026/10/08/c...
1112
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
annaflagg.bsky.social @annaflagg.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
ARRESTS: ICE arrested more than twice as many kids in 2026 through July compared to the same time period last year. Under Trump child arrests climbed, and peaked in July, the latest full month with available data, when there were over 1,100 child arrests: www.themarshallproject.org/2026/10/08/i...
themarshallproject.org
ICE Has Arrested Twice As Many Children This Year
In total, more than 8,500 kids have been arrested by ICE in Trump’s second term.
1126
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
annaflagg.bsky.social @annaflagg.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Some of the main stats, since Trump retook office: –ICE has arrested 8,592 children –ICE has detained 8,755 children, 562 of them babies or toddlers –198 children are in ICE custody on the average day –1,460 children have been deported after having been taken from communities inside the U.S.
12312
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
annaflagg.bsky.social @annaflagg.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Today we launched a tool tracking immigration enforcement against children based on our analysis of data obtained by @deportationdata.bsky.social, including: ICE child arrests, detentions, and deportations: www.themarshallproject.org/2026/10/08/c...
themarshallproject.org
Tracking Trump’s Immigration Crackdown on Children
How many kids has ICE arrested, detained, and deported under the second Trump administration?
22925
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We all complain about the media’s failures but organizations like @propublica.org and @texastribune.org are doing the work and deserve our financial support
111047270
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 28/09/2026
We are publishing the name of the alleged shooter because we believe transparency in Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s killing is of vital public interest as investigators, lawmakers and the public seek to understand what happened and how ICE operates more broadly in this state. Read more here:
texastribune.org
ICE agent who shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston identified
The federal government has withheld his identification, even as major state and local law enforcement agencies across the country typically identify officers involved in shootings on the job soon afte...
18991301
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 28/09/2026
Breaking: The Texas Tribune has identified the ICE agent who witnesses say fired through an open van window and killed 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston nearly three months ago.
texastribune.org
ICE agent who shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston identified
The federal government has withheld his identification, even as major state and local law enforcement agencies across the country typically identify officers involved in shootings on the job soon afte...
20566623356
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 13/09/2026
Several Texas Republicans condemned Bo French on Sunday after the GOP nominee for Railroad Commissioner made racist posts calling Asian students at UT a "problem." bit.ly/4xgJuOF
bit.ly
Cornyn calls out Bo French over racist social media post
French, the Republican nominee for a statewide position regulating Texas’ oil and gas industry, posted a photo of University of Texas students, while decrying “foreigners” displacing Americans.
33311131
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
St. John Barned-Smith @stjbs.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
ICE hasn’t paid for detainee medical care since October. Advocates call it the ‘death policy’ — my latest, w/ @kolyncheang.bsky.social. Spend some time with it www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
sfchronicle.com
ICE hasn’t paid for detainee medical care since October. Advocates call it the ‘death policy’
ICE owes millions in unpaid bills to hospitals and, in some cases, detainees themselves have been directly billed for care, records show.
641517807
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
The Marshall Project @themarshallproject.org · 21/08/2026
In at least 70,000 cases in 21 states, parents were referred to law enforcement agencies over allegations of substance use during pregnancy, according to six years of state and federal data obtained and published for the first time by The Marshall Project. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/02/10/b...
themarshallproject.org
Tens of Thousands of Mothers Were Flagged to Police Over Flawed Drug Tests at Childbirth
The Marshall Project found more than 70,000 cases referred to law enforcement over allegations of substance use during pregnancy — and that’s a significant undercount.
01917
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 21/08/2026
Yesterday, Aug. 20, was one of the worst days of ICE flights I've seen. -At least 82 ICE flights -At least 15 were removal flights, including Haiti -At least 5 removals were third-country removals (Cameroon, Costa Rica, Liberia, Paraguay, Rwanda) -Plus 1 emergency return for reasons unknown
An ADSBx map showing 35 planes flying all over the Americas and Africa, emanating out of Louisiana and TexasAn ADSBx map showing North and Central America, showing roundup flights to northern cities, about a dozen removal flights to central America and the Caribbean.A closeup of Alexandria, La, showing GlobalX's N966AD taking off and then quickly returning to the airport.
131801966
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 06/08/2026
A border agent killed a migrant who crossed into Starr County. Eight months later, it’s still under investigation. bit.ly/4cr6jYn
texastribune.org
Details emerge in case of migrant killed by Border Patrol in RGV
The federal agent said he shot the man in self defense last December amid a fight that erupted after agents tried to arrest the migrants who were retreating to Mexico.
01816
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
David J. Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
As I said, “This case had all the hallmarks of those later cases: An apparently unarmed victim who was retreating, a quick DHS statement exonerating the agent and very few other details.” texastribune.org/2026/08/06/t...
1286
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
David J. Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
CBP promptly issued a statement exonerating the agent, and a grand jury failed to indict, though we don't know what evidence was presented. Texas DPS and CBP say they're still investigating. You should read the Tribune's story here: www.texastribune.org/2026/08/06/t...
texastribune.org
Details emerge in case of migrant killed by Border Patrol in RGV
The federal agent said he shot the man in self defense last December amid a fight that erupted after agents tried to arrest the migrants who were retreating to Mexico.
1268
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
David J. Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I obtained records revealing another Border Patrol agent is under investigation for the killing of an unarmed Mexican man who, according to CBP, was trying to get back to Mexico on foot. I worked with @texastribune.org's @lomikriel.bsky.social to get a fuller story... www.cato.org/blog/new-doc...
cato.org
New Docs Show Another Border Patrol Agent Under Investigation for Killing
Custom and Border Protection’s pronouncement accepting the officer’s self-defense claim should carry little weight given the extensive record of agents lying to their supervisors about assaults.
5222107
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Border Patrol shot and killed a 31yo Mexican man in Starr County last December. Eights months later, it remains under investigation. The little-known death brings the fatal shootings by DHS agents under Trump's second term to at least three in Texas. www.texastribune.org/2026/08/06/t...
texastribune.org
Details emerge in case of migrant killed by Border Patrol in RGV
The federal agent said he shot the man in self defense last December amid a fight that erupted after agents tried to arrest the migrants who were retreating to Mexico.
08440
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Substance found in van after deadly Houston ICE shooting wasn’t drugs as initially alleged by unusual publicizing of FBI search warrant — per DA, family lawyer and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia citing preliminary DPS testing results By @urielgarcia.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2026/07/24/t...
texastribune.org
Officials: Van in Houston ICE shooting didn’t contain drugs
The FBI suggested plastic bags in the van contained methamphetamine. The agency hasn’t released official test results.
1199
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
“At no moment were the agents in front of the vehicle." “Cornered." “Lorenzo stopped the van, the officer shot him anyway.” Court filings detail accounts of deadly Houston ICE shooting contradicting officials w/ @alexnguyen.bsky.social @ujohnnyg.bsky.social www.texastribune.org/2026/07/21/t...
texastribune.org
ICE shooting passengers say agents rammed van before firing
The newly-released, handwritten statements by two men who saw Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s shooting say he never threatened ICE agents.
4632247
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Experts say the knowledge ICE agents had of their suspected targets, even though they killed the wrong man, factors heavily into whether the shooting was justified. The FBI released a search warrant claiming meth maybe in the car. But the family says it was salt. texastribune.org/2026/07/15/tex…
texastribune.org
042
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: FBI suggests migrants’ van in fatal Houston shooting had meth. A lawyer says it was salt. Via @alexnguyen.bsky.social @ujohnnyg.bsky.social for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2026/07/16/t...
texastribune.org
Tests will find if men in Houston ICE shooting had drugs or salt
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, whose office is running an investigation into the shooting, expressed doubt that there were drugs in Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s van.
4183
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Jason Buch @jlbuch.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Readers of @houstonchronicle.com are well served by this @johnwferguson.bsky.social piece noting how unusual it is for prosecutors to make a warrant public at this point in an investigation (and raising questions about whether they even need one) www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
houstonchronicle.com
FBI obtains warrant to search Salgado's van for evidence of drugs
FBI investigators sought permission to search the van involved in the ICE shooting, citing suspected methamphetamine. In a rare move, the warrant is public.
186
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 09/07/2026
The Texas Tribune is seeking any footage, photos or tips related to the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on July 7, 2026. You can contact us anonymously via Signal, Whatsapp, phone or email using the contact information below.
This graphic contains text from the Texas Tribune, requesting footage, cell phone video or other Instagram photos or posts, as well as tips related to the shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on July 7, 2025. We take your confidentiality seriously and will protect your identity. You can contact reporter Lomi Kriel, que habla español, on Signal, Whatsapp, or cell at 832-729-3421, or by email at lkriel [at] texas tribune [dot] org. You can contact reporter Colleen DeGuzman on Signal, Whatsapp, or cell at 956-605-9321, or by email at colleen [dot] deguzman [at] texas tribune [dot] org.
05552
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 15/07/2026
New: ICE's use of unmarked cars and shooting into vehicles during Houston killing could violate law enforcement policy, experts say bit.ly/4wKQxPU
bit.ly
Houston ICE shooting shows likely law enforcement policy violations
More than a dozen attorneys and former law enforcement officials reviewed footage of the deadly ICE car pursuit for The Texas Tribune. They said ICE’s tactics were breaking with best practice and poss...
45629
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
NEW: Law enforcement experts reviewed available footage in the Houston ICE killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo last week. What they saw was troubling, appearing to violate longstanding best practice, possibly even the law. "Professionally incompetent.” www.texastribune.org/2026/07/15/t...
texastribune.org
Houston ICE shooting shows likely law enforcement policy violations
More than a dozen attorneys and former law enforcement officials reviewed footage of the deadly ICE car pursuit for The Texas Tribune. They said ICE’s tactics were breaking with best practice and poss...
716282
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
The @texastribune.org is investigating this ICE shooting, along with that of Ruben Martinez last year in South Padre Island. We are seeking any cell phone footage of either events and you can share anonymously to me at 832-729-3421 or on Signal or WhatsApp.
2828435
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Sons of man killed by ICE in Houston demand investigation: “My father would have complied." “To have been killed by our own federal government, aided by federal policies that are deliberate choices, just makes me so angry,” another said. www.texastribune.org/2026/07/08/t...
texastribune.org
Houston ICE shooting
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s son said his father would not have tried to flee a law enforcement stop. Local leaders say they’ve received little information from federal officials about the shooting.
521373
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
ICYMI: The Trump administration called a small TX agency to ask for help representing immigrant children, even as it is fighting to provide that aid in court. Some worry this signals a larger effort to move all kids to TX, from where it is easier to deport them. www.texastribune.org/2026/07/03/t...
texastribune.org
Trump admin asks Texas for legal help representing immigrant kids
Immigration rights experts worry that the recent inquiry is the latest sign Trump is interested in transferring unaccompanied minors to the state, where it is easier to quickly deport them.
0116
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
NEW: The Trump administration asked a small Texas agency to represent immigrant kids as it seeks to end that aid in court & slashed other protections. Some worry it signals an attempt to move kids to Texas, from where it is easier to quickly deport them. www.texastribune.org/2026/07/03/t...
texastribune.org
Trump admin asks Texas for legal help representing immigrant kids
Immigration rights experts worry that the recent inquiry is the latest sign Trump is interested in transferring unaccompanied minors to the state, where it is easier to quickly deport them.
15026
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The @texastribune.org is continuing to report on ICE deaths and medical neglect in Texas so please reach out and share.
083
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Andrea said that she was in “shock." She was eating earlier this week when an ICE official told her. One of her attorneys called her release “nothing short of a miracle." But, she added, “we know that there are many others suffering in detention." www.texastribune.org/2026/06/04/e...
texastribune.org
Guatemalan woman who needed surgery for months released by ICE
Andrea Pedro Francisco was scheduled for surgery to remove an ovarian cyst in February. Then ICE detained her, repeatedly denying her the procedures.
160
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
We wrote about Andrea last month. She has an ovarian cyst that +9 experts agree require surgery & if untreated, could be deadly. ICE refused to release her or provide outside OB GYNs. A judge denied habeas & ICE, parole. Suddenly, this week, Andrea was freed. www.texastribune.org/2026/06/04/e...
texastribune.org
Guatemalan woman who needed surgery for months released by ICE
Andrea Pedro Francisco was scheduled for surgery to remove an ovarian cyst in February. Then ICE detained her, repeatedly denying her the procedures.
2167
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Reveal @revealnews.org · 25/05/2026
911 centers are supposed to answer 90 percent of emergency calls in 15 seconds or less. Reporter @byardduncan.bsky.social found many aren’t coming close to that. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of callers are left waiting on hold.
revealnews.org
America’s 911 system is in the throes of its own emergency
America’s 911 dispatchers are straining under pressure, leaving thousands of callers waiting during emergencies.
15829
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
The Sidney Hillman Foundation @sidneyhillman.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Congratulations to @stjbs.bsky.social and @kolyncheang.bsky.social of @sfchronicle.com on winning the May Sidney Award for their devastating exposé of deaths in ICE custody from medical neglect.
hillmanfoundation.org
San Francisco Chronicle wins May Sidney for Exposing Preventable Deaths in ICE Custody
NEW YORK — St. John Barned-Smith and Ko Lyn Cheang of the San Francisco Chronicle win the May Sidney for exposing the medical neglect behind deaths of detainees in ICE custody.  The reporters obtained...
134
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
6) If Andrea does not have that operation, experts warn that she could lose the ability to have children or suffer from other serious health complications. The doctors also said the cyst needs to be screened for cancer, dubbed " the silent killer." www.texastribune.org/2026/05/20/e...
texastribune.org
Woman detained by ICE wrongfully denied surgery, doctors say
Andrea Pedro Francisco was scheduled to have surgery to remove an ovarian cyst in February but was detained by ICE, which has repeatedly denied her surgery. Nine doctors who reviewed her case said she...
030
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
5) Andrea's story is singular but the plight is wider. We are continuing to report on the issue of medical neglect in ICE detention and hope you will reach out.
140
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
4) If she does not, she could lose the ability to have kids or worse, suffer ovarian cancer. This is in the backdrop of record ICE deaths and increasing claims of medical neglect in ICE turning deadly. www.texastribune.org/2026/02/19/i...
texastribune.org
What you need to know about Texas ICE detention deaths
Last year was the deadliest year in ICE detention in two decades. Nearly a quarter of those deaths occurred in Texas.
130
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
3) Immigration agents detained her in February when she was driving her mom to work. Since then, ICE has denied surgery even as her ovarian cyst is the size of a lime. Nine medical experts who reviewed her records at the reqquest of @texastribune.org agreed she needs urgent care.
141
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
2) Andrea has legally been in the US since 2019 & has no criminal record and an ongoing asylum case. She was a caregiver for her two USC siblings, 5 and 1, & has no criminal record. She had been suffering severe abdominal pain for years and was a leader in her evangelical church.
151
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
1) This is the story of Andrea, a 23yo Guatemalan with an ovarian cyst scheduled for surgery before ICE arrested her in the Minneapolis surge that killed 2 US citizens & helped lead to the ouster of top DHS officials. Her story is greater than her own. www.texastribune.org/2026/05/20/e...
texastribune.org
Woman detained by ICE wrongfully denied surgery, doctors say
Andrea Pedro Francisco was scheduled to have surgery to remove an ovarian cyst in February but was detained by ICE, which has repeatedly denied her surgery. Nine doctors who reviewed her case said she...
24123
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Doctors say woman in El Paso ICE detention urgently requires surgery that is being denied. “It is my medical opinion that Ms. Pedro Francisco will suffer irreparable harm if this treatment is not provided promptly." OB-GYNs & an emergency physician agreed. www.texastribune.org/2026/05/20/e...
texastribune.org
Woman detained by ICE wrongfully denied surgery, doctors say
Andrea Pedro Francisco was scheduled to have surgery to remove an ovarian cyst in February but was detained by ICE, which has repeatedly denied her surgery. Nine doctors who reviewed her case said she...
0126
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Guardian US @us.theguardian.com · 08/05/2026
The US government has targeted thousands of parents for deportation since Donald Trump took office in January 2025. A Guardian analysis of government records has found that, during the first seven months of his presidency, the administration arrested the parents of at least 27,000 children. 🧵
A chart showing the average monthly deportations of people with children under 18. It escalates significantly after January 2025 and starts to come down gradually in July 2025 until returning at or below pre-Trump levels in October 2025.
52786563
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Dara Lind @daralind.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
I know I’ve already reposted but…Trump I demolished a global refugee resettlement infrastructure in the name of vetting. Biden, somehow, genuinely rebuilt it. Trump II hasn’t just redemolished it but made a farce of it, by building an active recruitment pipeline which is the opposite of vetting.
321890
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Renee Cascada🥄 @cascada57.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
099
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Texas Tribune @texastribune.org · 04/05/2026
How the unreported killing of an American by ICE shattered two Texas families
texastribune.org
An unreported ICE killing of an American shattered 2 Texas families
Josh Orta was the sole witness of Ruben Martinez’s death to dispute the government’s account. Months later, he died in a crash after learning an ICE agent killed his friend. Their mothers blame the go...
14328
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Nicole Foy @nicolefoy.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
shout out to my much-missed colleagues @sophiechou.bsky.social & @harucoryne.bsky.social for their incredible work on this project!! Btw this is the second project Sophie worked on that’s won a Pulitzer! And she’s job hunting! Someone hire her ASAP! 👀👀
14416
Reposted by Lomi Kriel
Sophie Chou @sophiechou.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Thank you @nicolefoy.bsky.social ❤️ It’s so amazing to be recognized for our work. I am currently on the job market! Open to both journalism & (elections, media, healthcare) research opportunities! Short + long term, hybrid NYC or remote preferred. Prioritizing good management & fair pay!
02310
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
We are continuing to follow up on this story so please send tips!
030
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
That revelation of ICE's involvement came not by the government, but in a lawsuit. It upset Joshua Orta, Martinez's friend with him that night and the sole witness to so far dispute the government's account. Orta died hours later in a traffic accident. youtube.com/shorts/prnBb...
youtube.com
How the unreported killing of an American by ICE shattered two Texas families
YouTube video by The Texas Tribune
150
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
The first known ICE death wasn't Renée Good. It was Ruben Martinez in March 2025 & ICE's involvement remained unknown until this year. This is a story of how an unreported ICE killing shattered two American families and changed their politics. www.texastribune.org/2026/05/04/r...
texastribune.org
An unreported ICE killing of an American shattered 2 Texas families
Josh Orta was the sole witness of Ruben Martinez’s death to dispute the government’s account. Months later, he died in a crash after learning an ICE agent killed his friend. Their mothers blame the go...
210763
Lomi Kriel @lomikriel.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
And thrilled for @annamaria.bsky.social Brett Murphy for more deserved recognition in their gut breaking reporting across countries about how the Trump admin's cuts to USAID placed thousands at risk. They put so much heart & tears into this crucial journalism. www.pulitzer.org/finalists/br...
pulitzer.org
Pulitzer Finalist: Brett Murphy and Anna Maria Barry-Jester of ProPublica
For an authoritative and consequential examination of the Trump administration’s freeze of humanitarian aid through the U.S. Agency for International Development, coverage that illuminated how the dis...
0122