NEW YORK (metaworld.media) — A New York City Council employee was arrested in a controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action, inciting protests outside the Manhattan detention center where he was held. Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, who has worked as a data analyst for the Council, was taken into custody amidst accusations regarding overstaying his tourist visa and a prior assault arrest.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin defended Bohorquez, claiming he was legally authorized to work in the U.S. until this October. Menin highlighted that Bohorquez had cleared a background check and had signed documents confirming he had never been arrested, contradicting ICE's assertions.
The New York Immigration Coalition and the NY Legal Assistance Group have filed a petition demanding his release. City representatives, including Rep. Dan Goldman, have voiced their support. We are doing everything we can to secure his immediate release, said Menin, characterizing the arrest as an example of governmental overreach.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed outrage, calling the action an attack on the city and its ideals. Officials are working to connect Bohorquez with his family and immigration legal representation. Originally from Venezuela, Bohorquez was detained during a scheduled immigration check-in, a process Menin referred to as routine that unexpectedly escalated.
ICE reported that Bohorquez had entered the U.S. in 2017 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in October of the same year. He has been employed by the City Council with an annual salary of approximately $129,315. Despite ICE’s confirmation of his employment, debates over his work authorization have emerged, raising concerns over flawed verification systems used by employers.
Experts point out that while the E-Verify system for employment eligibility checks is accurate, it fails to notify employers if an employee’s work rights change after initial approval. A recent Inspector General review indicated that without addressing these systemic issues, the accuracy of employment verification remains compromised.
