Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) says she believes that cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration officials is necessary to prevent potential casualties from happening in sanctuary cities.
Rep. Luna’s comments come after Texas officials confirmed that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded a DoorDash driver in Austin.
“This unfortunate situation was completely avoidable. In many sanctuary cities, there is a refusal to work with ICE, which, if you are concerned for residents’ safety, don’t you think you should have [Law Enforcement Officers] interfacing?” Congresswoman Luna wrote on X.
ICE Agent Shoots Venezuelan National in Austin
The driver, a 28-year-old Venezuelan national, was identified as Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, according to an immigration attorney representing his family.
At the time of the shooting, Garces was in the process of a delivery, DoorDash confirmed.
The shooting may have involved a foot chase with the ICE officer, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. Chief Davis, however, cautioned that the information was preliminary and not yet confirmed.
After receiving medical assistance, Garces was reportedly released and transferred into ICE custody, with no updates about Garces’ health status or circumstances being provided by immigration officers.
DHS Confirms Investigation
Following the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the matter.
Homeland 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…
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 21, 2026
Rep. Luna Says She Will Ensure There Is Oversight
In an interview with FOX News, Congresswoman Luna argued that sanctuary cities should have local law enforcement work with residents, the city, and ICE to avoid these situations and also respond immediately if they do occur.
“I will continue to obviously ensure that there is oversight and accountability – I sit on that committee – and I’m sure this will be brought up as soon as we return from the elections,” Rep. Luna said. “But, again, ICE does go after – a majority of the time – some of the worst of the worst, and so we just don’t know enough facts to really determine what really happened right here.”
