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The civil rights organization League of United Latin American Citizens launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Araujo's family with funeral costs, legal expenses and everyday living costs.

Garcia said she and other members of Congress sent a letter earlier to the Department of Homeland Security demanding an investigation.

Cesar Espinoza, executive director of FIEL Houston, told a crowd waving signs that one phrase has stood out in the wake of the shooting:  It could've been me. 

Several protesters said Araujo's death hit home. Some said they knew of family, friends and neighbors who have been afraid since 2025 to go to work or the grocery store due to the federal immigration crackdown.

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One protester, Kimberly Gomez, went to school with Araujo's son at East End Academy High School. Tears welled in her eyes before the protest started.

 It could have been my dad, it could have been anybody's dad,  she said.  This is horrible, it's not an accident. 

Mario Perez, who was standing at the edge of the crowd, arrived at the protest with a large banner held by two people. Perez said ICE tried to  flip the script  by alleging that Araujo tried to run over an ICE agent, which prompted the officer to shoot at him.

 Oh, come on, man,  Perez said in response to ICE's claim.  That's why we gotta show up. We gotta get together, you know?