‘He was here legally’: ICE arrests NYC Council employee

A New York City Council employee was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on Jan. 12 as he attended a routine immigration appointment at a court on Long Island, federal and local officials said.

He works as a data analyst for the council, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said at a news conference. He does not have a criminal record and is authorized to work in the United States until October, she said.

Menin described the council employee’s detainment as “government overreach.” Aggressive actions by ICE “across the nation” are threatening “the freedom and safety of every American,” she said.