New York City Council Data Analyst Detained by ICE During Long Island Check-In

A New York City Council employee was taken into federal custody on Monday, 12 January 2026, after appearing for what city officials described as a routine immigration appointment in Bethpage, Nassau County. The detention has drawn sharp criticism from several state and local leaders, who denounced the action as an overreach by federal authorities and demanded the worker’s immediate release.

City Hall identified the detainee as a central staff member who has served for roughly one year as a data analyst. Speaker Julie Menin said the worker contacted the council’s human resources office in the afternoon using a single phone call, reporting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had arrested him at the Bethpage facility. Menin did not release the employee’s name, citing privacy concerns.

Federal justification

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated late Monday that the staffer entered the United States on a B-2 tourist visa in 2017 and failed to depart when the document expired that same year. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the individual “had no legal right” to remain and referenced an alleged prior arrest on an assault charge, although no further details were provided. DHS also asserted that the council worker lacked federal authorization to hold a job in the country.

Under current DHS policy, individuals deemed to be in the country unlawfully and who have any criminal record are prioritized for enforcement. A detailed outline of these guidelines can be found on the official DHS website.

City officials protest

Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the detention “an assault on our democracy, our city, and our values” and said his administration is monitoring the situation while pushing for the employee’s release. Speaker Menin echoed the mayor’s demand, asserting that the worker had followed all instructions by attending the scheduled appointment. According to Menin, federal officials confirmed the arrest but did not offer additional justification beyond immigration status.

Democratic Representative Dan Goldman, whose congressional district includes portions of Manhattan and Brooklyn, told reporters that the employee is of Venezuelan origin and, in his view, has no record of misconduct other than his immigration status. Goldman’s office has contacted ICE seeking further information and advocating for release.

New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement urging federal authorities to free the employee without delay, warning that actions of this nature undermine confidence in public institutions. Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the arrest, arguing that detaining individuals at routine court or agency appointments erodes community trust and “weaponizes” immigration enforcement.

Transfer to Manhattan facility

Menin confirmed that ICE transferred the detainee to a detention center in Manhattan later on Monday. City Council representatives said they have been unable to reach the worker’s family and are coordinating with legal counsel to assess options. The council has not indicated whether it will provide formal representation but stated that staff are assisting in locating legal resources.

Imagem: Internet

Dispute over work authorization

While DHS insists the staffer was not authorized to be employed, City Council officials maintain that he possessed documentation permitting him to work in the United States until October 2026. No federal agency has publicly released copies of the relevant documents, leaving the claim in dispute. Legal analysts note that immigrants often receive temporary work permits, known as Employment Authorization Documents, while asylum or other status applications are pending.

Broader political context

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between federal immigration authorities and New York officials, who have repeatedly criticized recent enforcement operations in the region. City leaders argue that arrests at courthouses, government buildings or scheduled check-ins discourage immigrants from complying with legal requirements, while DHS contends that such settings are controlled environments that reduce risks during apprehension.

Advocates for immigrant rights warn that the Bethpage detention could have a chilling effect on other non-citizens required to attend similar appointments. Conversely, supporters of stricter enforcement assert that remaining in the country without authorization—particularly after an alleged criminal arrest—warrants removal under existing law.

As of Tuesday morning, neither ICE nor DHS had indicated when or if the council employee might receive a bond hearing. City officials said they will continue to press for his release and expect to challenge any attempt to remove him from New York while legal proceedings are underway.

Crédito da imagem: Jeenah Moon/Reuters