Federal immigration officials detain city worker in Nassau County; political leaders demand immediate release
Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed outrage Monday evening after federal immigration officials detained a New York City Council employee during a routine court appointment in Bethpage, Nassau County. The incident prompted swift condemnation from Democratic leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who characterized the detention as weaponized immigration enforcement and a violation of fundamental fairness principles.
Employee Detained at Immigration Hearing
The unnamed employee, working as a data analyst for the City Council’s central staff, was arrested Monday afternoon during what authorities described as a routine court appointment at a Nassau County facility. The council’s human resources department learned of the detention when the employee used his single permitted phone call to request assistance. Council Speaker Julie Menin disclosed that the employee had legal authorization to work in the United States until October 2026.
Disputed Immigration Status Claims
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement contradicting council assertions about the employee’s legal standing. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that the employee had no valid work authorization and entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 requiring departure by October 22, 2017. The agency claimed the employee had no legal right to remain in the country and cited a criminal history that included an arrest for assault.
Conflicting Narratives on Legal Status
Democratic representatives disputed the DHS characterization. Congressman Dan Goldman identified the employee as a law-abiding Venezuelan-born immigrant with work authorization, noting no indication that anything beyond immigration status motivated the detention. He emphasized the employee was doing everything right by appearing for his scheduled court appointment as required.
Broader ICE Enforcement Pattern Raises Concerns
The detention occurs within a context of escalating immigration enforcement actions affecting sanctuary cities nationwide. Governor Hochul characterized the tactic as weaponized immigration enforcement that undermines community trust and erodes public cooperation with law enforcement. Detaining workers during court appearances creates a chilling effect, she argued, discouraging immigrants from maintaining legal compliance.
Detention Center and Legal Actions
The employee was transferred to a detention center on Varick Street in Manhattan. The City Council stated it had been unable to contact family members and demanded swift federal action to secure release. Goldman announced his office had reached out to ICE leadership and vowed to continue pressing for the employee’s release. Read more about the ICE detention story from ABC7NY.
