On Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, was delivering food for DoorDash when he was stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. According to Perez and his attorney, Kate Lincoln‑Goldfinch, the officers in an unmarked truck sideswiped his vehicle, rammed it, and shot him once in the back of the neck as he attempted a U‑turn and tried to park.

Medical care and detention

Perez was taken to an Austin hospital where doctors chose not to remove the bullet because it was near his spine. He was released into ICE custody with the projectile still lodged in his back, spent the night on the floor of the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, and was later returned to a hospital for additional treatment, including morphine for pain. Homeland Security later asserted that Perez was receiving “medical care around the clock, including pain medication,” contradicting his attorney’s claim that he lacked adequate care.

Legal background

Garces Perez entered the United States in 2024 under a program created during the Biden administration that scheduled appointments for asylum seekers. President Trump terminated that program on his first day in office, emphasizing the need for stronger border security and the protection of American families. A federal judge has scheduled a September 30 hearing on Perez’s case and ordered that he attend, effectively preventing ICE from deporting him before the hearing.

Homeland Security noted that Perez’s work permit expired last year and that a judge had issued a removal order after he missed a prior immigration hearing due to a notice being sent to an outdated address.

ICE enforcement surge

The shooting occurs amid a pronounced increase in ICE activity during President Trump’s second term. ICE reported more than 50,000 arrests per month in July and August, a historic high for the agency. Since Trump returned to office, at least ten individuals have died during federal immigration sweeps, six of them from gunfire by federal officers.

Local investigations

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza confirmed that local authorities are conducting a separate investigation and has asked federal officials to keep Perez in the United States until the state inquiry is complete. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has opened an internal investigation with assistance from the FBI, though it has not released further details.

Community response

The incident has reignited protests across Texas, with community members and faith‑based groups calling for accountability and a review of ICE’s use of force. While critics label the shooting as excessive, supporters of the Trump administration argue that robust immigration enforcement is essential to safeguard American families and uphold the rule of law.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.