A New York City Council employee faced detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on Monday. The incident occurred during what should have been a routine immigration appointment. City officials immediately expressed outrage over the federal action.
Conflicting Claims Over Legal Status
New York City authorities state the Venezuelan-origin man possesses a valid work permit that remains effective until October 2026. They emphasize his legal right to work within the United States under this authorization.
The Department of Homeland Security presents a completely different narrative. Federal officials claim the individual entered the country on a tourist visa back in 2017. They assert he overstayed his permitted departure date of October 22, 2017, and never obtained proper work authorization.
Political Reactions and Public Statements
New York City Mayor Mamdani voiced strong condemnation of the detention. "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," the mayor stated publicly.
Mamdani described the incident as "an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values." The mayor demanded immediate release of the detained employee and promised continued monitoring of the situation.
Right-wing commentator Nick Sortor offered contrasting perspective. "Nope. He's going back to wherever the hell he came from," Sortor commented bluntly about the situation.
Identity of the Detained Employee
The detained individual is Rubio Bohorquez, a fifty-three-year-old Venezuelan national. He works as a data analyst for the New York City Council. According to city records, he has been employed in city government for approximately one year.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin provided detailed federal perspective. "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," McLaughlin stated.
Federal authorities highlighted Bohorquez's alleged criminal history, including an arrest for assault. They emphasized he had no legal work authorization despite his city employment.
Contradictory Information Emerges
City Council Speaker Julie Menin defended the employee vigorously. She described his arrest as "egregious government overreach." Menin confirmed Bohorquez had signed an attestation in January stating he had never been arrested.
The Department of Homeland Security directly contradicted this claim. Federal officials stated Bohorquez indeed had an arrest record, creating significant discrepancy between city and federal accounts.
Broader Context and Similar Cases
Former nuclear scientist Matt Van Swol shared his own experience with immigration authorities. Van Swol worked for the federal government as a scientist for the U.S. Department of Energy.
"I was detained by Border Patrol in Arizona in 2018," Van Swol revealed. "Not a damn thing happened to me, because I was following the law." His comments highlighted different treatment based on legal status.
The case raises fundamental questions about immigration enforcement priorities. It also exposes tensions between local and federal authorities regarding immigration policy implementation.
City officials continue to advocate for Bohorquez's release while federal authorities maintain their position about his illegal status. The situation remains unresolved as legal processes unfold.
