The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that federal immigration officers arrested a Venezuelan national employed by the New York City Council, who officials say was in the United States illegally and lacked authorization to work.
According to DHS, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez entered the United States in 2017 on a B-2 tourist visa that required him to depart later that year. Federal officials said Rubio Bohorquez overstayed the visa, had no lawful status, and was subsequently employed by the New York City Council despite lacking work authorization. DHS said his criminal history includes a prior arrest for assault in New York.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the arrest raises concerns about employment practices in jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
“A criminal illegal alien with no authorization to work in the U.S. being employed by the New York City Council is shocking,” McLaughlin said. “This takes sanctuary city to a whole new level.”
DHS said the arrest is part of a broader enforcement effort under the Trump administration targeting illegal employment and criminal activity involving foreign nationals without lawful status. McLaughlin said federal immigration authorities are prioritizing cases involving criminal records and public-sector employment.
“This criminal illegal alien has no authority to be in the U.S. and has a previous arrest for assault,” she said. “Under President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem, the United States is no longer a safe haven for criminals.”
Federal officials noted that the New York City case is not an isolated incident. DHS cited prior arrests involving illegal aliens employed by government agencies in other states, including a case in Illinois in which an individual overstayed a tourist visa and was later found working as a sworn police officer, and a separate arrest in Iowa involving a school district employee who officials said had a final order of removal and no work authorization.
DHS said those cases were identified through targeted enforcement operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and related agencies. Officials said the department is continuing to review employment practices and immigration status in cases where individuals without lawful status are working in sensitive or public-facing roles.
Federal authorities did not release additional details Tuesday about potential charges or removal proceedings related to the New York City Council employee. DHS said the investigation remains ongoing.
