Wilber Garcés, 28, was hospitalized after reporting loss of mobility and sensation on the left side of his body. His attorney also reported that guards placed him in isolation and handled him roughly during his medical transfer.
The Daily Journal.- Immigration authorities transferred Venezuelan migrant Wilber Garcés, who suffered a gunshot wound to the back at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, back to a detention center in South Texas after he spent several hours in a hospital, his attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, reported Tuesday.
Garcés, 28, left the Pearsall detention center for a medical facility on Monday after reporting loss of mobility and sensation in his arm and the left side of his body, according to a series of posts by his attorney on the social media platform X.
The Venezuelan sustained the gunshot wound Sunday when several immigration agents intercepted him while he was making deliveries for DoorDash in North Austin. Garcés described the incident Monday during a press conference that his attorney organized, joining by telephone from the detention center.
Following the shooting, he received medical attention at a local hospital. Still, doctors did not remove the bullet, which remains lodged near his spine, according to his account and that of his legal representative.
Hours later, federal authorities took him back into custody and transferred him to the Pearsall immigration detention center, approximately 220 kilometers (137 miles) south of Austin.
Attorney reports isolation and rough treatment
Lincoln-Goldfinch reported that, following the press conference, detention center guards took away the tablet Garcés used to communicate and moved him to an isolation cell.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. local time Monday, the Venezuelan began experiencing difficulty moving his arm, prompting authorities to arrange his transfer to a medical facility.
During the trip, agents restrained his hands and ankles with handcuffs and shackles and placed a chain around his waist. According to his attorney, the agents “handled him roughly.” Lincoln-Goldfinch’s law firm had previously accused the officers of “assaulting” him.
At the hospital, doctors administered morphine and placed his arm in a sling. Shortly before midnight Monday, medical staff discharged him again, and authorities returned him to the detention center, according to his attorney.
As of Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had not responded to EFE’s requests for information about the migrant’s current health condition.
DHS opens investigation
In a statement Sunday, DHS said Garcés was in the United States unlawfully and confirmed that the shooting occurred during an immigration enforcement operation.
The department also announced that it had opened an investigation into the incident with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Garcés entered the United States in 2024 through the CBP One application, which operated under former President Joe Biden’s administration (2021–2025). The application allowed migrants to schedule appointments at border ports of entry to request asylum, according to his attorney and family members.
An immigration judge had issued a deportation order against the Venezuelan in absentia. Lincoln-Goldfinch explained that her client missed the hearing because authorities sent the notification to an old address, even though he had informed the government of his change of residence, according to the attorney.
With information from EFE.
