Rafael R.B.: NYC Council employee detained by ICE during routine immigration appointment
Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, a Venezuelan data analyst for the New York City Council, was detained by ICE during a routine immigration court appointment on Long Island. He had work authorization and had passed background checks for his job.
Jan 13, 2026Bethpage, NYCountry of origin: Venezuela

A New York City Council employee was detained by ICE during a routine immigration court appointment in Bethpage, Long Island on Monday. DHS identified the employee as Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez from Venezuela, alleging he entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2017 that expired and has a criminal history. City officials and Democratic leaders called the detention egregious government overreach, noting the employee had work authorization and passed background checks for his position as a data analyst.
Tags
Sources
- Washington Post
- New York City Council employee detained by ICE must be deported, federal judge rules
- Mamdani 'outraged' after New York City Council employee detained by ICE
ABC News·Jan 13, 2026·archived copy
- NYC Council staffer detained by ICE
Show 2 more sources ↓Show fewer sources ↑
Loading…
More incidents in New York
- ICE detains four at Syracuse restaurant without showing warrantOct 21, 2026 · Syracuse, NY
- Mahmoud K.: Columbia activist with green card detained 104 days by ICEOct 19, 2026 · New York, NY
- Immigrants skip health care, fearing data sharing with ICE in NYCOct 16, 2026 · New York, NY
- Two detained by ICE from vehicle in Ossining, NYOct 15, 2026 · Ossining, NY
- NYC sanctuary laws stand as judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuitOct 15, 2026 · New York, NY
- German M.G.: SUNY Brockport IT worker seeking asylum detained by ICE outside Batavia homeOct 15, 2026 · Batavia, NY