Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Joins Field Hearing in Austin to Examine ICE Shootings Across Texas

AUSTIN, T.X. - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) joined Democratic Members of Congress for a field hearing in Austin to examine shootings involving federal immigration agents across Texas and demand greater transparency and accountability from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The hearing was led by Congressman Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.

Also participating were Representatives Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA-02), Lou Correa (D-CA-46), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), and Al Green (D-TX-09).

The hearing examined incidents involving federal immigration agents, including the July 7 killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, the killing of Ruben Ray Martinez, and the recent shooting of Wilber Garcés-Pérez in Austin.

The Members of Congress were joined by witnesses Ms. Rachel Reyes, mother of Ruben Ray Martinez, Kristin Etter, Director of Policy & Legal Services at the Texas Immigration Law Council, Carolina Rivera Nelson, Attorney at the ACLU of Texas, and Danny Woodward, Policy Attorney with Texas Civil Rights Project.

"Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst. But judging by what we're seeing across Texas and the country, that sounds more like ICE's recruitment strategy. People are being shot, injured, and killed by federal agents operating without basic law enforcement standards or accountability," said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. "In Houston, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed on his way to work. One hundred days later, his family still has no answers. Instead, they've been met with stonewalling and excuses. These families deserve the truth and justice, and we will not stop fighting until they get both."

Video of the full hearing can be viewed HERE.