In Michoacán, Mexico, the family of Silverio Villegas González continues to grieve his death nearly a year after he was fatally shot by a U.S. immigration enforcement agent during a traffic stop in Franklin Park, Illinois. The incident occurred on September 12, when Villegas González, 38, was stopped by agents near Grand Avenue and Elder Lane while on his way to work after dropping off his two young sons at daycare.
Villegas González, who had lived in the Chicago area for 18 years, was shot in the neck during the confrontation before his car collided with a semitrailer. The Department of Homeland Security claimed agents targeted him due to a criminal background involving reckless driving and alleged that he dragged an officer with his vehicle. However, a review found no criminal record for Villegas González.
At the time of his death, Villegas González was seeking full custody of his children, aged 8 and 4, who had been living with him under partial custody arrangements. The children’s mother, who moved to Idaho about four years ago, has since lost custody. Now, Villegas González’s oldest brother, José Villegas, and his wife—both U.S. citizens residing in the Chicago area—have initiated the legal process to adopt the children through an attorney.
Family members expressed determination to reunite the children with their relatives in Illinois. “Everything we are doing now is because we love them,” said Villegas González’s sister, Graciela. The children remain in foster care in Idaho, where the Mexican consulate has accompanied José Villegas on visits. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare declined to comment, citing confidentiality in child welfare cases.
The case has drawn attention from political and diplomatic officials. Illinois Democratic leaders called on then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for transparency and accountability, while Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum demanded an exhaustive investigation. Mexico’s Consul General in Chicago, Reyna Torres Mendivil, said the government continues to provide legal support to the family.
An investigation into the shooting was requested by the Franklin Park Police Department and is being conducted by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force. Upon completion, the case will be submitted to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office for possible charges. A spokesperson for the state’s attorney’s office affirmed readiness to review the investigation.
Legal advocates representing the Villegas González family, including senior counsel Jonathan Manes of the MacArthur Justice Center, are examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They have challenged the official account, asserting that the physical, visual, and forensic evidence they have gathered contradicts the government’s statements. Manes indicated that any potential lawsuit would be filed against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which holds the United States liable for the actions of its employees.
Manes also criticized the government’s lack of transparency, noting that nearly a year after the incident, no information about the investigation has been released publicly, and the identity of the ICE officer involved remains undisclosed. He described this secrecy as inconsistent with common law enforcement practices.
The family continues to cope with profound grief. Graciela Villegas reported that their elderly parents are struggling emotionally, with their mother receiving counseling. In Franklin Park, community members have maintained a temporary memorial at Grand Avenue and Emerson Street. The village board approved a permanent memorial in August to honor Villegas González’s memory.