Congressman Visits Detained Venezuelan Shot by ICE, Demands Surgery

Key points

• Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, visited Garces Perez at the South Texas ICE Processing Center on Wednesday, stating the 28-year-old is in a wheelchair and still in pain.
• A medical specialist has told Garces Perez he needs surgery to remove a bullet lodged near his spine, though it is unclear if his family has approved the procedure.
• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that Garces Perez is receiving 'some of the best medical care he’s ever received,' while his attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, claims he was released from a hospital with the bullet still in his back.
• A federal judge paused Garces Perez’s deportation on Tuesday, ordering him to appear in court on Sept. 30 in San Antonio.
• Austin Mayor Kirk Watson ordered the Austin Police Department to investigate the shooting, citing a lack of trust in federal investigators, while Houston Mayor John Whitmire initially questioned the city’s jurisdiction to investigate a similar ICE shooting in July.

Background

This incident follows a summer of increased ICE enforcement in Austin, where over 1,000 arrests were made in June and July, an 80% increase from the previous year. Most of those arrested had no criminal record. Garces Perez entered the U.S. in 2024 via the CBP One app, a program ended by President Trump, and had a valid work permit before a deportation order was issued after he missed a hearing due to a notice sent to an old address.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and The New Republic emphasize the medical neglect and the political response from Rep. Casar, highlighting the bullet still lodged in Garces Perez's body. KUT and The Texas Tribune focus on the conflicting accounts of the shooting, with Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis noting a pursuit before the shooting, which conflicts with the attorney's claim that Garces Perez was trying to pull over. The Texas Tribune contrasts the immediate, assertive response of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson with the more cautious, jurisdiction-focused approach of Houston Mayor John Whitmire following a similar ICE shooting in July. DHS maintains that Garces Perez is an 'illegal alien' receiving high-standard care, while his attorney and local officials argue he was in the country legally and is being denied adequate medical treatment.

Why it matters

The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local jurisdictions, as well as concerns over the medical treatment and due process afforded to detainees. The independent investigations by Austin and Travis County, along with the federal judge's pause on deportation, signal a growing push for transparency and accountability in ICE operations, particularly in progressive-leaning areas like Austin.

What to watch

A federal hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30 in San Antonio, where Garces Perez must be present. The Austin Police Department and Travis County District Attorney's Office are continuing their independent investigations into the shooting. The outcome of the medical care debate and the legal proceedings will likely influence future policies and public opinion on ICE enforcement in Texas.