One of the largest Hispanic civil rights organizations in the country, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), has urged authorities not to deport a Venezuelan immigrant who was shot during a recent ICE pursuit in Austin. They argue that he is a crucial witness in the ongoing investigation into the use of force by law enforcement.
LULAC made this statement after Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was shot during a traffic stop, leading to protests and calls for an independent inquiry. He is currently hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
“Wilber is both a victim and the most important witness,” said LULAC CEO Juan Peruano, emphasizing that it doesn’t make sense to deport someone who could provide key testimony regarding the actions of law enforcement.
According to Garces Perez’s attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, he was delivering food for DoorDash when an “unmarked black truck collided with him.” She stated that he initially didn’t realize the vehicle was associated with ICE and made a U-turn, which prompted the agents to chase him.
Lincoln-Goldfinch described a chaotic scene, claiming the truck hit Garces Perez again, after which agents exited the vehicle and shot him in the back of the neck before pulling him from his car.
She also expressed concerns about the medical care he received, revealing that hours after being shot, a bullet remained lodged in his body.
Garces Perez, as mentioned by his attorney, had a work permit and was seeking asylum after entering the U.S. in 2024 through an expanded application process. However, he reportedly received a deportation order after missing an immigration hearing, which he was unaware of because the court had sent a notice to his old address.
Lincoln-Goldfinch criticized the federal agents’ version of events, arguing that ICE has consistently provided false information about such incidents. “We are tired of ICE and DHS misleading us about what happens during these violent encounters,” she stated.
Representative Lloyd Doggett supported these claims, asserting that federal immigration officials often lack credibility. “ICE has no credibility anymore. It lies, and we need an independent structure to ensure accountability,” he mentioned.
On their part, DHS sources confirmed that Garces Perez is an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela with a final order of removal but noted that he was shot during a law enforcement operation and is currently in federal custody while awaiting removal.
