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NYC Council employee detained by immigration officials in Nassau County, speaker says
By
Paige Oamek
,
Phil Corso
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Jan 12, 2026
Modified Jan 13, 2026
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WilliamAlatriste/NYCC Media Unit
By
Paige Oamek
,
Phil Corso
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Jan 12, 2026
Modified Jan 13, 2026
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A New York City Council employee was detained Monday by federal immigration authorities during what officials described as a routine immigration court appointment in Nassau County on Long Island, according to City Council Speaker Julie Menin.
Menin said the employee had legal authorization to live and work in the U.S. through October 2026. The speaker said the man, a central staff member who has worked as a data analyst for about a year, contacted the Council’s HR department after being detained. U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman said the employee is of Venezuelan descent.
Menin declined to disclose further details to protect his identity.
"We are doing everything we can to secure his immediate release, and we demand swift and transparent action by the federal government on this apparent overreach," Menin said in a statement.
The man was transferred to the detention center on Varick Street in Manhattan on Monday evening, officials said. Menin said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicated he could be moved again, but gave no further information.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the man lacked work authorization in the United States and entered the country in 2017 on a tourist visa that required him to leave by Oct. 22 that year.
"Under Secretary [Kristi] Noem, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States," McLaughlin said in a statement. "If you come to our country illegally and break our law, we will find you and we will arrest you."
Menin said it was the first time a Council staffer had ever been detained by immigration officials.
She said the employee had done “everything right” and had previously signed an attestation stating he had never been arrested. She also noted DHS gave no justification for the detention other than the fact that the employee showed up for his court appointment.
“As speaker of the City Council, I cannot even call this ICE detention center to collect information or demand his release,” she said. “That is not how government is supposed to work.”
The incident has drawn swift rebuke from city and federal lawmakers, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In a post on X, Mamdani said he was “outraged” by the Council employee’s detention and called for his immediate release.
“This is an assault on our democracy, on our city, and our values,” Mamdani said. “I am calling for his immediate release and will continue to monitor the situation.”
Goldman echoed that sentiment, calling the case part of a broader crackdown on immigrants, including those with legal status.
“Secret masked police are killing Americans, are yanking anyone they can find out of cars, out of homes, out of courtrooms,” Goldman said. “And now [they’re] targeting those who are trying to serve the public as employees of the New York City Council.”
Menin called the case emblematic of a broader pattern under the Trump administration.
"Across the nation, we have seen aggressive escalations by ICE that raise serious concerns on the use of excessive force and a lack of accountability," Menin said. "As New Yorkers, we will stand up for the rights and dignity of every neighbor.”
The detention comes days after a Minneapolis woman, Renee Good, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer in an incident that has sparked lawsuits, protests and renewed scrutiny of ICE enforcement nationwide.
Lawmakers in both New York and New Jersey have begun weighing legislation that would limit how local agencies interact with federal immigration authorities.
In Albany, supporters of the long-stalled New York for All Act said a renewed push is underway to ban local police from cooperating with ICE in most cases. New Jersey legislators have also been advancing a similar package of bills.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Tagged
Politics
Zohran Mamdani
donald trump
immigration
julie menin
nassau county
new york city
new york city council
Paige Oamek
Paige Oamek is a reporter on Gothamist & WNYC's day-of general assignment desk.
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Arya Sundaram
Arya is a reporter covering race and justice. Got a tip? Email: [email protected] or reach Arya on Signal at 512-650-8767.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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