Call to Halt Deportation of Key Witness in ICE Shooting
A major Hispanic civil rights organization has urged that a Venezuelan male, shot in an ICE operation in Austin, remain in the United States. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) argues that he is critical for the ongoing investigation into the use of force by officers.
On Monday, LULAC responded to the incident involving Wilber Rafael Garces Perez. Perez was injured during an ICE traffic stop. He remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition. This incident has led to protests in Austin and pleas for an independent investigation.
Juan Peruano, CEO of LULAC, stated, Wilber is a victim of the shooting and a crucial witness. Deporting the key witness to your own officers’ use of force is unjustifiable.
Garces Perez’s attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, reported that Garces Perez was making a delivery for DoorDash when an unmarked black truck collided with him. Unaware the vehicle was operated by ICE, he turned his vehicle around. However, agents pursued and eventually shot him.
Lincoln-Goldfinch elaborated, The truck pursued him, colliding again. Agents then shot him in the neck and removed him from his car.
She reported concerns about insufficient medical care, claiming the bullet was still lodged hours post-incident.
Reports say Garces Perez faced inadequate conditions after being transferred to an ICE processing center, lacking basic amenities like a bed.
Garces Perez has a work permit and sought asylum in the U.S., having entered through the expanded CBP One app established during the Biden administration. His deportation was ordered due to a missed hearing notice sent to an outdated address, despite his address being updated with the court.
His attorney challenged the narratives of federal agents, asserting, We are tired of ICE and DHS misrepresenting these events where people are harmed.
Representative Lloyd Doggett supported these claims, insisting on federal accountability.
According to DHS, Garces Perez is an illegal immigrant with a pending removal order, entered under the Biden administration.
The incident continues to raise questions about ICE procedures and transparency, prompting calls for significant reform.