DHS said the New York City Council employee it arrested, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, is a Venezuelan illegal immigrant with a criminal history. (DHS)
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the fact that "a criminal illegal alien with no authorization" was employed by the New York City Council "shocking."
"This takes sanctuary city to a whole new level," said McLaughlin.
"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," she added.
Mamdani and other city leaders demanded the man's release on Monday.
"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," Mamdani wrote in a statement on X.
DHS DEMANDS LETITIA JAMES TAKE ACTION OVER NEW YORK'S REFUSAL TO HONOR ICE DETAINERS
New York AG Letitia James (left) beside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. (Getty)
Menin said the employee works as a data analyst and has held the job for roughly one year.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James threw her weight behind calls for the employee's release later Monday.
A spokesperson for James shared a statement from James in which she said, "We will not stand for attacks on our city, its public servants, and its residents."
Fox News Digital also reached out to Mamdani and the New York City Council for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital's Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dhs-exposes-background-nyc-city-council-employee-after-mamdani-fumed-over-arrest