DHS Responds to Claims Regarding ICE Shooting Incident Involving Venezuelan National

<p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addressed allegations made by several Democrats and members of the media regarding an ICE officer-involved shooting in Austin. The incident involved Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national, who was shot by an ICE agent during a chase on Sunday. DHS reports that Perez was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and is currently in stable condition. The shooting has led to protests in Austin and criticism from Democratic lawmakers.</p><p>On Tuesday, over 100 Democratic members of Congress signed a letter requesting Perez's release, claiming he "is not receiving the care he needs in detention" and that he "still has the bullet lodged in his body." Representative Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, stated that despite losing movement on his left side and having a bullet lodged near his spine, ICE has forced Perez out of the hospital and back to the South Texas ICE Processing Center. Representative Greg Casar, D-Texas, referred to ICE as "liars with masks" and demanded the agency leave Austin.</p><p>In response, DHS posted on X, stating that "sanctuary politicians and the media wasted no time in spreading lies" and that "no amount of smears and false narratives will slow down ICE from doing its job to arrest illegal aliens from our communities." DHS disputed claims that ICE refused to remove the bullet from Perez’s body, asserting that the agency does not advise on medical procedures for individuals in hospitals. They also addressed reports that Perez was denied pain medication and made to sleep on the floor, stating that he is receiving constant medical care, including pain medication, and that he slept on a bed shortly after arriving at ICE’s detention facility.</p><p>DHS further contested statements from Perez’s lawyer regarding his legal status, asserting that he entered the country illegally and had no valid work permit or protective status, along with a final order of removal from a Department of Justice Immigration Judge. DHS confirmed that ICE will not be slowing down or leaving Austin, emphasizing that they are tasked with enforcing laws passed by Congress.</p><p>Former acting ICE Director Jonathan Fahey suggested that the political response to the incident may be intentional. He stated, "The irony of it all is, with these ICE incidents, it's not just coincidental that the Democrats are against ICE performing their function of enforcing immigration laws… they don't want them actually doing their jobs." Fahey argued that the Democratic Party aims for an open border and mass amnesty, claiming that their response to the Austin incident reflects a desire for no enforcement rather than responsible enforcement.</p><p>Regarding Casar’s demands for DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to preserve evidence and suspend the involved agent, Fahey remarked that it would be irresponsible for DHS to brief Congress before the investigation is complete, suggesting that such actions would be a distraction.</p>