Call for Release of Detained NYC Council Employee

Mayor Zoran Mamdani, representing the Socialist Democratic Party, has made a strong demand for the immediate release of a Venezuelan worker detained by federal immigration agents.

The individual in question, Rafael Andres Rubio Bojorquez, aged 53, worked as a data analyst for New York City Hall prior to his detention during what was supposed to be a routine immigration appointment.

“This situation is an attack on our democracy, our city, and our values. I am calling for his immediate release and will keep a close eye on developments,” Mamdani expressed, showcasing his outrage over the incident via social media.

Bojórquez is currently being held in a detention facility located in Manhattan. New York City Council President Julie Menin also spoke out during a news conference, stating that Bojórquez was detained despite having adhered to all legal protocols.

“Department of Homeland Security confirmed that he appeared for a routine court appointment but still faced detention. They offered no further justification for his detention,” she noted. “He has always complied with legal requirements, attending court as necessary.”

Menin characterized the event as a “gross government overreach,” expressing concerns over the implications of such actions.

As reported by WABC-TV, authorities revealed that Bojorquez had a prior arrest linked to an assault, and the DHS indicated that he lacked work authorization in the U.S.

However, the New York City Council has presented documentation asserting that employees like Bojorquez are indeed authorized to remain and work in the country, countering DHS’s claims that he had failed background checks.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asserted that Bojorquez entered the U.S. in 2017 on a tourist visa and was required to exit by October 22, 2017, labeling him a “criminal illegal alien.” She stressed that he had no legal rights to remain in the U.S.