Amid strong reactions from New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani regarding the arrest of a City Council employee, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that the individual, Rafael Andres Rubio Bojorquez, 53, is an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela with a prior assault charge.
According to DHS, Rubio Bojorquez was working for the New York City Council without a valid work permit. The agency noted that he had entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 but was required to leave that same year.
Assistant Secretary of State Tricia McLaughlin expressed her disbelief that an “unauthorized criminal illegal alien” could be employed by the council, adding that this situation exemplifies issues with sanctuary cities. She emphasized that under previous administrations, the U.S. focused on deterring criminal activity.
Mamdani and other officials have urged for the immediate release of Rubio Bojorquez. The mayor characterized the arrest as a direct attack on the values and democracy of New York City. He stated that he would keep a close eye on the unfolding situation.
The City Council President, Julie Menin, also rallied for his release, insisting that Rubio Bojorquez had permission to stay in the U.S. until October 2026. However, DHS countered this by affirming he lacked legal status.
Mamdani described the arrest as troubling, emphasizing that the employee had complied with his court obligations. The DHS maintained that their detainment process was justified, but the specifics of it remained unclear.
New York Attorney General Letitia James supported the calls for the employee’s release, stating that any form of attack on public servants is unacceptable. The City Council has not yet responded to further inquiries about the situation, though the tension surrounding this incident continues to grow.
