A Venezuelan immigrant who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a traffic stop in Austin, Texas, has been hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has called for the immigrant, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, not to be deported, citing his status as a key witness in the investigation into the use of force by ICE officers. LULAC CEO Juan Peruano stated that Garces Perez is a victim of the shooting and the most important witness to it, and that deporting him would be inappropriate.
According to Garces Perez's attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, the incident occurred when an unmarked black truck operated by ICE sideswiped Garces Perez's vehicle while he was delivering food as part of his job with DoorDash. Lincoln-Goldfinch claimed that Garces Perez did not know the vehicle was operated by ICE and that he was subsequently pursued and shot in the back of the neck.
The shooting has sparked protests in Austin and calls for an independent investigation. Lincoln-Goldfinch also criticized the medical care provided to Garces Perez after the shooting, stating that the bullet remained lodged in his back for hours and that he was not given adequate pain medication.
Garces Perez had been seeking asylum in the United States after entering the country in 2024 through the CBP One app. His attorney claimed that he received a removal order due to a notice of his immigration hearing being sent to his old address, despite him having updated his address with the court.
The incident has also led to criticism of ICE's handling of the situation, with some officials accusing the agency of lying about the events surrounding the shooting. At least three people were arrested in connection with protests that followed the incident, which saw hundreds of people gather and damage police vehicles.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
View original reporting →
