A New York City Council employee was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on Long Island Monday, according to Speaker Julie Menin.

Menin says the employee was detained during a routine court appearance in Bethpage and taken to a detainment center on Varick Street. He was given one call and chose to alert the City Council.

Menin led a press conference about the incident Monday evening, alongside Congressman Dan Goldman, Councilmember Alexa Aviles, New York Immigration Coalition president Murad Awawdeh and others.

The speaker says the employee has legal authorization to live and work in the United States until October 2026.

Menin issued the following statement:

“This afternoon, a City Council employee was detained by federal immigration officials at a routine immigration appointment. He had legal authorization to remain in the country until October of this year. 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. 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. As New Yorkers, we will stand up for the rights and dignity of every neighbor.”

Councilmember Justin Sanchez issued the following statement:

"Today’s detention of a New York City Council staff member by ICE is deeply alarming. I have full confidence in the leadership of Speaker Menin who is actively working toward their immediate release and has rightly called this an outrageous situation. I urge all employers throughout our city to discuss plans and procedures for any interaction with ICE, regardless of their employees’ citizenship status. ICE’s reckless and unchecked actions put New Yorkers at risk, and everyone should exercise caution. It is increasingly evident that detainments and violence carried out by ICE can happen to anybody at any moment. I stand in solidarity with Speaker Menin and my colleagues in the City Council, looking forward to the safe and swift return home of our colleague."