US judge blocks deportation of DoorDash driver shot by ICE

A federal judge in Texas has issued a temporary block on the deportation of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a 28 year old Venezuelan man who was shot by immigration agents during a roadside encounter. The ruling came after Garces Perez’s lawyer, Kate Lincoln Goldfinch, filed for a temporary restraining order to ensure her client remains in the country until his legal standing can be reviewed. Judge Orlando Garcia, appointed under the Clinton administration, has scheduled an in person court appearance for the man next week, effectively pausing any efforts by authorities to remove him from the United States.

The incident began when Garces Perez was reportedly making deliveries for DoorDash. According to his attorney, an unmarked black truck sideswiped his vehicle, leading him to make a U turn because he did not realize the occupants were federal agents. This resulted in a second collision before agents exited the vehicle and opened fire. While official footage from local police does not capture the moment of the shooting, audio recordings of gunfire are audible, and subsequent video shows officers detaining Garces Perez with what appears to be a gunshot wound in his back.

The Department of Homeland Security has strongly defended the actions of its agents, describing Garces Perez as an illegal alien whose work permit had expired last year. In a pointed statement, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin dismissed allegations of misconduct as false narratives fueled by sanctuary cities and the media. The department maintained that the operation was a targeted vehicle stop and insisted that Garces Perez has received high quality medical treatment throughout his detention.

However, Lincoln Goldfinch paints a much darker picture of her client’s condition and treatment. She reports that Garces Perez currently has a bullet lodged in his back and suffers from significant swelling and pain due to a fractured clavicle. The lawyer alleges that despite these injuries, he was subjected to rough handling during transfers while shackled and chained, and claimed his communication privileges were revoked while he was kept in isolation. As protests erupt in Austin calling for an independent investigation into the shooting, supporters and lawmakers continue to demand his immediate release from custody.