A routine immigration appointment in Nassau County, New York, transformed into a scene of escalating tension this Monday when a New York City Council employee was unexpectedly detained by Department of Homeland Security officials.
The detained individual, 53-year-old Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, reportedly entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2017 and remained beyond its expiration date. DHS officials also cite a prior arrest in an assault case as justification for his apprehension.
News of the detention ignited immediate and forceful condemnation from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who characterized the action as a direct attack on the city’s values and democratic principles. He demanded Bohorquez’s swift release, vowing to closely monitor the unfolding situation.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin staunchly defended the department’s actions, asserting that Bohorquez lacked any legal basis for remaining in the country. She emphasized a firm stance against individuals who enter the U.S. illegally and subsequently violate its laws.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin countered this claim during a press conference, stating that Bohorquez had been authorized to remain in the U.S. until October 2026. She emphasized that he was fully compliant with legal procedures, attending a scheduled court appointment when he was taken into custody.
Menin revealed that Bohorquez is a data analyst who has served the City Council for approximately one year. Despite this, DHS maintains that he is not authorized to work within the United States.
The chorus of support for Bohorquez’s release grew as New York Attorney General Letitia James joined the call for his immediate freedom, declaring that the state would not tolerate attacks on its residents and public servants.
Currently, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez remains in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a facility in Manhattan, as the debate over his detention continues to intensify and draw attention to the complexities of immigration enforcement.
