Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28‑year‑old Venezuelan asylum seeker, was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a traffic stop in Austin on Sunday. After being treated at a local hospital, he was released and transferred to the South Texas ICE Processing Center in Pearsall, about 130 miles southwest of the capital.
Attorney says bullet remains lodged
Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz, spokesperson for immigration attorney Kate Lincoln‑Goldfinch, told the Associated Press that Perez informed his wife of the shooting around 12:30 p.m. and later called his lawyer from the detention center. He said a bullet is still lodged in his back and that he has not received pain medication.
ICE provides limited details
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has released little information about the incident. In a brief statement, the agency said it is investigating the shooting of a Venezuelan man who “had a final order of removal.” Ruiz emphasized that Perez entered the United States legally through a parole program and has no criminal history, calling the use of force “unwarranted.”
Context of rising ICE activity
The shooting comes amid a surge in ICE enforcement during President Trump’s second term. ICE reported more than 50,000 arrests in both July and August, a record for the agency. At least four people have been fatally shot by federal officers during immigration enforcement operations this year.
Local officials respond
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the shooting occurred after a traffic stop and that local police were not involved. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, called for local police to assist in the investigation, stating it would not be appropriate for ICE to handle the matter alone.
Protest and public reaction
Approximately 100 anti‑ICE protesters gathered outside the scene on Sunday. The incident has reignited debate over immigration enforcement tactics and the role of federal officers in local communities.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
