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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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A New York City Council employee was detained by federal immigration officials during a routine immigration appointment in Bethpage, Nassau County, Long Island, on Monday afternoon, according to a press release from the council.
The employee, identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, a data analyst of Venezuelan descent who has worked for the city council for approximately a year, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, sparking immediate condemnation from city leadership.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek that Bohorquez had no work authorization, overstayed a tourist visa, and has a criminal history including an arrest for assault.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the detention "an assault on our democracy" and demanded immediate release. Council Speaker Julie Menin held an emergency briefing at 6:45 p.m. local time at City Hall with Democratic New York Congressman Dan Goldman and other leaders, describing the incident as "egregious government overreach."
Newsweek reached out to ICE via email on Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
The administration of President Donald Trump continues carrying out aggressive nationwide deportation tactics, cracking down ostensibly on criminals who have entered and remain in the U.S. illegally, like members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
The administration has come under intensified scrutiny after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week, with officials defending the shooting as self-defense while protests have broken out around the Minnesota city.
What To Know
According to reports, the employee attended what was supposed to be a routine court appointment in Long Island, when he was arrested by federal immigration officials. City Council leaders said they learned of the detention Monday afternoon when the staffer used his one phone call to contact the council's human resources department seeking help.
Menin said during Monday's emergency press briefing that DHS provided no basis for the detention beyond the employee's immigration status, despite his legal authorization to remain in the country until October. "On the contrary, he was a City Council employee who is doing everything right. He went to the court when he was asked," she said.
The employee has been identified as a central staff member working as a data analyst for about a year, though Menin declined to release his name, citing privacy concerns. Goldman confirmed during the briefing that the employee is of Venezuelan descent and described him as a "law-abiding immigrant with work authorization."
The council said it has been unable to reach his family members, while Goldman added that his office has reached out to ICE regarding the case. According to ABC News, the employee has since been transferred to a detention center in Manhattan.
In her initial statement, Menin noted broader concerns on federal immigration enforcement tactics. "Across the nation, we have seen aggressive escalations by ICE that raise serious concerns on the use of excessive force and a lack of accountability," she said. "As New Yorkers, we will stand up for the rights and dignity of every neighbor."
What People Are Saying
DHS Assistant Secretary McLaughlin told Newsweek: "On Jan. 12, ICE New York City arrested Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela and an employee of New York's City Council. His criminal history includes an arrest for assault. He had no work authorization. Rubio entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 that required him to depart the U.S by October 22, 2017. He had no legal right to be in the United States. Under Secretary Noem, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States. If you come to our country illegally and break our law, we will find you and we will arrest you."
Mamdani, on X: "I am outraged to hear a New York City Council employee was detained in Nassau County by federal immigration officials at a routine immigration appointment. 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."
Menin, on X: "We are doing everything we can to secure the immediate release of our @NYCCouncil employee, who was detained today by federal immigration officials at a routine appointment, despite following the rules. We demand his return. This action is a clear overreach, and we will fight for full transparency and accountability as we protect New Yorkers."
Goldman, during Monday's emergency briefing: "I want to be very clear: There is no indication that there's anything about this individual other than his immigration status that caused him to be arrested. We will continue to fight this. We will continue to push for not only this person's release, which is so obviously necessary, but for this immigration dragnet to stop."
**New York Attorney General Letitia James, also on X: "**The @NYCCouncil staffer being detained by ICE must be released immediately. I just spoke with @SpeakerMenin to express my support for her staff. We will not stand for attacks on our city, its public servants, and its residents."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on X: "This is exactly what happens when immigration enforcement is weaponized. Detaining people during routine court appearances doesn’t make us safer. It erodes trust, spreads fear and violates basic principles of fairness. We will continue to stand up for the rights of New Yorkers."
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What Happens Next
City and state officials continue working to secure the employee's release. Goldman's office remains in contact with ICE officials regarding the case. Officials are monitoring the situation for updates on the employee's status and potential release from the Manhattan detention center.
Update 1/12/26, 9:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 1/12/26, 10:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information from DHS.
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