New York City, New York — Federal immigration agents detained an employee of the New York City Council on Monday during what city officials described as a routine immigration appointment, triggering sharp condemnation from local leaders and renewed criticism of the Trump administration’s enforcement tactics.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the employee was taken into custody without explanation and called for his immediate release, describing the incident as an attack on the city’s democratic values. According to City Council Speaker Julie Menin, the individual is legally present in the United States and holds valid work authorization through October 2026. Menin said the council learned of the detention after the employee contacted the council’s human resources department seeking assistance.
City officials said the Department of Homeland Security provided no justification for the detention and transferred the employee to a Manhattan detention facility. Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman, who addressed reporters alongside Menin, said the individual is a Venezuelan immigrant with legal status and emphasized there was no indication of criminal wrongdoing beyond immigration scrutiny.
The incident comes as immigration advocates and local officials point to a broader pattern of federal agents detaining individuals during scheduled immigration check-ins and court appointments. Critics argue the practice discourages compliance with immigration procedures and erodes trust in government institutions.
The detention also follows nationwide protests over ICE enforcement tactics, including demonstrations after the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent earlier this month. Legal challenges from several states are now seeking to limit the scope of the administration’s expanding immigration operations.
Sources:
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ABC News – MBFC Rating
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