United States Senator (Democratic) from California.
Case
An ICE officer shot and wounded Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan DoorDash driver, in Austin on September 20. He says he was shot while trying to pull over; DHS has not explained why the officer fired. The dispute is whether the shooting was justified.
Case
DHS says its Homeland Security Investigations will lead the inquiry into an ICE officer's shooting of a Venezuelan delivery driver in Austin. Austin's mayor, Democratic lawmakers and LULAC call for independent investigation; the man's attorney disputes DHS's account.
Case
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 midterm candidates stand on the unauthorized Iran war, based on their votes on war-powers resolutions, campaign statements, and public remarks.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, California
Statement summary
Alex Padilla voted yea on H.Con.Res. 89, a vote to direct the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89: A concurrent resolution directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
Voted to direct the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran, a vote to end U.S. involvement absent congressional authorization.
Role at the time: Member of the United States Congress
Statement summary
Sen. Alex Padilla said the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez should not have happened and called for an independent and transparent investigation.
“ICE can’t keep shooting people in our communities without any consequences. I’m calling for an independent and transparent investigation because this should have never happened to 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a DoorDash driver who was trying to make a delivery.”
On whether ICE's use of force should be condemned or condoned, Padilla directly condemns it: he says ICE "can’t keep shooting people in our communities without any consequences" and that the shooting "should have never happened" — an express evaluation that the force used was wrongful, not merely a process complaint.
Role at the time: Member of the United States Congress
Statement summary
Sen. Alex Padilla said ICE shootings cannot continue without consequences and called for an independent and transparent investigation into the Garces Perez shooting. His call rejects reliance on a DHS-led inquiry alone.
“ICE can’t keep shooting people in our communities without any consequences. I’m calling for an independent and transparent investigation because this should have never happened to 28-year-old Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a DoorDash driver who was trying to make a delivery.”
DHS's account of the shooting and its choice to have HSI lead the investigation. Padilla says ICE "can't keep shooting people... without any consequences" and calls for an "independent and transparent investigation," rejecting a DHS/ICE-led inquiry as sufficient. That's a direct rejection of DHS's chosen investigative process, so condemns holds.
Role at the time: U.S. Senator, California
Statement summary
Alex Padilla voted Yea on H.Con.Res. 86, the Senate resolution directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.
“On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
A yea vote supported directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran, opposing continued U.S. involvement in the war without congressional authorization.
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 21, 2026
Statement dates: September 21, 2026
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 21, 2026
Statement dates: June 23, 2026 to September 24, 2026
