Tragic Shooting in Franklin Park: Calls for Accountability and Reform
The Tragic Shooting of an Undocumented Father by an ICE Agent in Franklin Park
A community in Franklin Park, Illinois is reeling from the tragic death of an undocumented father at the hands of an ICE agent. The victim, who has been identified as 33-year-old Jose Luis Gonzalez-Valencia, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a traffic stop. According to his attorney, Gonzalez-Valencia had no criminal background and only had a history of minor traffic violations.
Unjustified Use of Excessive Force
This shooting has raised serious questions about the use of excessive force by ICE agents. The victim's family and community members are demanding answers and justice for the senseless killing of a man who posed no threat. The attorney for the victim's family has stated that the ICE agent's use of lethal force was not justified and they will be seeking accountability for their actions.
The Need for Reform
This tragedy highlights the urgent need for reform within the ICE agency. The use of excessive force and targeting of individuals with no criminal record is a violation of human rights and goes against the values of a just society. It is imperative that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
About the People Mentioned
Jose Luis Gonzalez-Valencia
José González Valencia is a Mexican national born on May 18, 1975, who rose to international notoriety as a suspected drug lord and high-ranking leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal organizations[1]. He is closely associated with the González Valencia clan, which heads the Los Cuinis, a faction within CJNG primarily responsible for money laundering operations. González Valencia’s influence within the cartel reportedly included serving as the security chief for Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the CJNG’s top leader, and coordinating large-scale drug trafficking operations from Mexico to the United States, Asia, and Europe[1]. As law enforcement pressure on CJNG intensified in Mexico, González Valencia fled to Bolivia in September 2015 using a falsified Mexican passport, evading immediate detection due to the absence of his alias on international watchlists and the authenticity of his travel documents[1]. In Bolivia, he obtained a foreigner ID card and temporary residency, living there for two years before traveling to Brazil in December 2017. Brazilian authorities, acting on a U.S. extradition request, arrested him during this trip[1]. The U.S. government sought him for his alleged role in international cocaine trafficking. González Valencia was extradited to the United States in November 2021 to face charges related to drug trafficking[1]. In June 2025, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to these charges, marking a significant development in international efforts to combat transnational drug cartels[1]. His prosecution underscores the CJNG’s global reach and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in dismantling such organizations. Currently, González Valencia remains incarcerated in the United States, serving his lengthy sentence. His case highlights the complexities of international law enforcement cooperation and the persistent threat posed by Mexican drug cartels. While his direct influence within CJNG has been neutralized by his imprisonment, the broader impact of his prosecution on cartel operations and international drug trafficking networks continues to be a subject of law enforcement and policy analysis[1].
About the Organizations Mentioned
ICE
**Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)** is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established in 2003 following the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which reorganized existing agencies post-9/11 to enhance national security[1][2]. ICE’s core mission is to protect the United States by enforcing immigration laws, conducting criminal investigations, and preserving public safety. ICE operates primarily through two major divisions: **Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)** and **Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)**. HSI focuses on investigating and disrupting transnational criminal organizations involved in customs violations, human trafficking, terrorism, and smuggling. ERO is responsible for the apprehension, detention, and deportation of individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., operating detention facilities and managing removal procedures[2]. ICE’s international reach is managed by the Office of International Affairs (OIA), a key overseas investigative arm coordinating with foreign governments to combat cross-border crime, such as arms smuggling, forced labor, and immigration fraud. OIA supports intelligence gathering, training, treaty implementation, and facilitates global cooperation to preempt threats before they reach U.S. borders[3]. With a workforce exceeding 20,000 employees across more than 400 offices worldwide and an annual budget of about $8 billion, ICE plays a pivotal role in U.S. homeland security[1]. Its activities, especially those involving immigration enforcement and detention, have made it a highly visible and sometimes controversial agency in public discourse, often referred to colloquially in Spanish as "la migra"[2]. Notable achievements include disrupting large-scale criminal networks internationally and supporting the enforcement of over 400 federal statutes concerning customs, immigration, and terrorism prevention. ICE’s dynamic operational scope—spanning law enforcement, international diplomacy, and legal administration—makes it a critical component of U.S. efforts to maintain national security and uphold the rule of law[1][2][
