SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
Contact: media@haitianbridge.org,  Paige Censale, pcensale@haitianbridge.org

SAN DIEGO, CA— The Haitian Bridge Alliance is calling for a full and independent investigation into the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, who was shot and injured by an ICE officer during an immigration enforcement operation in Austin, Texas while making a DoorDash delivery. He has since been discharged from the hospital and is currently in removal proceedings.

“An ICE officer shooting and seriously injuring Wilber Rafael Garces Perez during an immigration enforcement operation is deeply alarming and demands immediate, independent investigation and accountability,” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. “Immigrant communities should never be subjected to excessive or unchecked state violence. Federal immigration agents are not above the law, and immigration enforcement must not become a license to use force against people with impunity. Mr. Garces Perez and his family deserve answers, justice, and accountability—and the public deserves to know exactly what happened. Far too many migrants and American citizens have been shot and killed by ICE agents”

HBA urges federal authorities to preserve and release relevant evidence, ensure Mr. Garces Perez has meaningful access to medical care and legal counsel, and allow an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the use of force.

ABOUT HAITIAN BRIDGE ALLIANCE

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “The Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies, foreign policy, and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and builds solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. Anpil men chay pa lou (“Many hands make the load light”). Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: @haitianbridge