Mamdani Blasts ICE Arrest of City Council Employee

"At a press conference at City Hall on Monday evening, City Council Speaker Julie Menin told reporters that the employee went in for a "routine court appointment" in Bethpage that ended with the man's arrest by federal immigration officials. Menin said the employee was given one phone call, which he used to contact the Council's human-resources department, informing them of his arrest. Though he was initially detained in Bethpage, he has since been moved to the detention center on Varick Street in Manhattan."

""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," he said in a statement. Governor Kathy Hochul also denounced the employee's arrest, saying it's an example of what happens when "immigration enforcement is weaponized.""

"According to Menin, the employee has worked as a data analyst for the City Council for about a year. She did not reveal his identity, but she confirmed that he is Venezuelan, that he is in the country on a valid work visa with legal authorization to work until October 2026, and that he has no known criminal history. The council later clarified to the New York Times that he had received temporary protected status from the federal government,"

A City Council employee was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a scheduled check-in on Long Island. The employee attended a routine court appointment in Bethpage, was arrested by federal immigration officials, and was later moved to a detention center on Varick Street in Manhattan. The employee made one phone call to the Council's human-resources department after the arrest. City leaders including the City Council Speaker, the Mayor, and the Governor condemned the detention and demanded immediate release. The employee has worked as a data analyst for about a year, is Venezuelan, holds a valid work visa authorized until October 2026, and has no known criminal history. The council clarified that he had received temporary protected status from the federal government.

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