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After a man was shot and wounded by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 20, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia<\/a> denounced the shooting and called for \u201ca viable immigration policy that respects the rule of law while recognizing the dignity of every person.\u201d<\/p>\n The individual who was shot was delivering for DoorDash at the time of the encounter with ICE, his lawyer said. A video obtained by CNN showed officers cutting off the man\u2019s shirt after the incident, revealing a bullet wound in his back.<\/p>\n In a Sept. 20 statement, Bishop Garcia, who leads the Diocese of Austin, said he was \u201cdeeply saddened and disturbed\u201d by the shooting.<\/p>\n \u201cWe find ourselves in a time in this country and city, when people are living in terror and fear because of the increased activity of ICE agents on our streets. Many people are often being detained only due to the color of their skin or the language they speak,\u201d he said. \u201cToday the credibility of a federal agency that is supposed to protect us has been weakened by incidences such as the one that took place today.<\/p>\n \u201cI ask the faithful of the Diocese of Austin to pray for this man who was shot, his family, for all those who have been affected, all who have been involved and for our entire community,\u201d Bishop Garcia continued. \u201cAs an investigation begins, let us pray that the Federal, State and City authorities will be transparent and honest about what occurred this afternoon, so that confidence in our governmental entities may be strengthened, not weakened.\u201d<\/p>\n Austin city officials have called for an independent investigation of the incident.<\/p>\n In a statement posted on X, the Department of Homeland Security said, \u201cHomeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is leading the investigation into the officer involved shooting of an illegal alien from Venezuela, who illegally entered our country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal, during a law enforcement operation today in Austin, TX.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe illegal alien\u2019s condition is stable, and he is in federal custody pending removal,\u201d the statement said. \u201cThis is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information becomes available.\u201d<\/p>\n But Austin immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said in a series of posts on X that she is representing the man, whom she identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28. Lincoln-Goldfinch contested the government\u2019s characterization, saying Perez was a \u201clegal immigrant.\u201d She said he lawfully entered the United States through the CBP One program for asylum seekers \u2014 the program was discontinued in 2025 \u2014 and has a valid work permit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe issue regarding the deportation order is that he moved and changed addresses. There was a notice for a hearing sent to the wrong address that he missed, which is VERY common. We are working on that,\u201d she said. \u201cHe will be released from detention, his immigration<\/a> matter will be resolved, and the agencies will be held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n Bishop Garcia added in his statement, \u201cWe need not forget that regardless of a person\u2019s immigration status, every person is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inherent dignity that must always be respected and protected. May God assist us in finding resolve and peace during these troubling times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are reminded, during this National Migrant Week, of an essential truth of our faith: we are all brothers and sisters,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhen one person is harmed, all of us are affected. We cannot allow differences of citizenship to diminish our recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human being.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>