Mayor Zohran Mamdani demanded the “immediate release” of a New York City Council employee arrested by immigration officials.
Then DHS released the man’s actual background.
Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, 53, is a Venezuelan illegal immigrant with a criminal history including an arrest for assault. He has no work authorization. He was illegally employed by America’s largest city.
Mamdani called it “an assault on our democracy.” DHS called it enforcing the law.
The Background They Didn’t Mention
Here’s what Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin conveniently omitted from their outraged press conferences:
Rubio Bohorquez entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa in 2017. That visa required him to depart the same year. He didn’t.
He has a criminal history, including an arrest for assault in New York.
He has no work authorization whatsoever.
Despite all of this, he was employed by the New York City Council for roughly a year as a data analyst.
“This Takes Sanctuary City to a Whole New Level”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn’t mince words.
“The fact that a criminal illegal alien with no authorization was employed by the New York City Council is shocking. This takes sanctuary city to a whole new level.”
Think about what this means.
New York City — which lectures the rest of the country about immigration policy — was employing an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. Someone who overstayed his visa by eight years. Someone with no legal right to work.
And when he got arrested, city officials demanded his release.
Mamdani’s “Outrage”
The mayor’s statement was predictably dramatic.
“I am outraged to hear a New York City Council employee was detained in Nassau County by federal immigration officials at a routine immigration appointment. This is an assault on our democracy, on our city and our values.”
An assault on democracy. Because a criminal illegal alien got arrested.
Mamdani’s “values” apparently include employing people illegally, ignoring criminal histories, and demanding that immigration law not apply to city employees.
The “Routine Appointment” Defense
City Council Speaker Julie Menin claimed the employee “was doing everything right” and “went to the court when he was asked.”
“They provided no other basis for his detainment,” Menin said.
No other basis? How about:
Eight years of visa overstay. An assault arrest. No work authorization. Illegal employment.
Each of those is independent grounds for arrest and deportation. Combined, they make a compelling case that this is exactly the kind of person immigration enforcement should target.
Menin’s Claim vs. DHS Facts
Menin claimed the employee “had been cleared to remain in the U.S. until October 2026.”
DHS says he has no authorization to even be in the country.
Someone is lying. Given that DHS has access to actual immigration records and Menin has a political interest in defending city employees, the smart money is on DHS.
Letitia James Joins the Defense
New York Attorney General Letitia James threw her weight behind calls for release.
“We will not stand for attacks on our city, its public servants and its residents.”
Public servants. She’s calling an illegal immigrant with an assault arrest and no work authorization a “public servant.”
James is the same attorney general who’s been fighting Trump on immigration enforcement at every turn. Her statement is predictable but still remarkable for its brazenness.
The City Council’s Hiring Practices
This raises serious questions about New York City’s employment verification.
Federal law requires employers to verify work authorization through I-9 forms. E-Verify is available to confirm status. Basic background checks should flag criminal histories.
How did someone with no work authorization and an assault arrest get hired by the City Council and employed for a year?
Either the city didn’t check, or they checked and hired him anyway. Neither explanation is flattering.
“No Longer a Safe Haven for Criminals”
McLaughlin delivered the administration’s message clearly.
“This criminal illegal alien has no authority to be in the U.S. and has a previous arrest for assault. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the United States is no longer a safe haven for criminals.”
That’s the contrast in one sentence.
Mamdani wants New York to be a safe haven for illegal immigrants, even those with criminal records, even those working illegally for city government.
Trump wants to arrest and deport them.
Voters will have to decide which approach they prefer.
The Sanctuary City Problem
This case illustrates why sanctuary policies are so destructive.
New York’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities created an environment where someone like Rubio Bohorquez could overstay his visa for eight years, get arrested for assault, and still find employment with the city government.
The system protected him. Until federal agents did their job despite local obstruction.
Mamdani’s Pattern
This is part of a pattern for New York’s socialist mayor.
His “housing czar” was exposed calling for property seizure and collectivization. His transition team included a professor arrested at a Hamas encampment. His policies prioritize illegal immigrants over citizens.
Now he’s demanding the release of a criminal illegal alien employed by city government.
Each revelation is worse than the last. And Mamdani keeps doubling down.
What Happens Next
Rubio Bohorquez will likely face deportation proceedings.
New York officials will continue demanding his release. They’ll call it an attack on democracy. They’ll frame him as a victim.
DHS will continue enforcing the law. They’ll release more information about who Mamdani is defending. They’ll let the facts speak for themselves.
And New Yorkers will get to see exactly what their socialist mayor’s “values” look like in practice: defending criminal illegal aliens working illegally for city government.
This is sanctuary city policy taken to its logical conclusion.
DHS is right: it’s a whole new level.
