ICE Arrests NYC Council Employee at Immigration Appointment

A New York City Council Employee was Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Officers on Monday, as He attended a Routine Immigration Appointment at a Court on Long Island, Federal and Local Officials said. ICE in an emailed Statement Identified the Man as Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez.

He works as a Data Analyst for the City Council, Council Speaker Julie Menin (D) said at a News Conference. "He does not have a criminal record and is authorized to work in the United States until October", She said. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY, 10th District), Speaking at the same News Conference, said the Man was of Venezuelan descent.

“A law-abiding immigrant with work authorization who is allowed to be here does the right thing and goes to their required check-in at an ICE facility,” Goldman said, “and instead of getting rewarded for doing the right thing … he is arrested and detained, and likely on a path to removal”.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Disputed those Remarks in an emailed Statement sent a few hours after the News Conference. She said the Venezuelan had a previous Arrest for Assault. The Washington Post could not Confirm whether He was Charged with or found Guilty of Assault. He also had No Work Authorization, McLaughlin added.

The Man “entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 that required him to depart the U.S. by October 22, 2017,” McLaughlin said. Menin said earlier that She had spoken with a DHS Official who Confirmed that the Man was Attending a Routine Court Appointment but “was nevertheless detained.”

“They provided no other basis for his detainment,” Menin said. She expressed Frustration that there was No way to Reach the Individual, who was initially Detained at a Facility in Bethpage, near the Court, before being Moved to another Facility on Varick Street in Manhattan.

Homeland Security Officials “indicated that they are likely to move this individual” but Declined to “elaborate on additional information,” She said. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) said He was Outraged by the Incident. “This is an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values. I am calling for his immediate release and will continue to monitor the situation,” He said in a Post on Social Media.

The Man “entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 that required him to depart the U.S. by October 22, 2017,” McLaughlin said. Menin said earlier that She had Spoken with a DHS Official who Confirmed that the Man was Attending a Routine Court Appointment but “was nevertheless detained.” “They provided no other basis for his detainment,” Menin said.










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