Former New York City Council Employee Ordered Deported Amid Controversy
An immigration judge has ruled in favor of the deportation of Rafael Andres Rubio Bojórquez, a former data analyst for the New York City Council. Federal authorities identified him as an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history, leading to his detention in January.
City Council President Julie Menin expressed her discontent regarding the ruling, characterizing it as a gross miscarriage of justice. She has vowed to fight the decision through an appeal, advocating for Rubio Bojórquez’s rights and legal standing.
Rubio Bojórquez, 53, was detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which labeled him a “criminal illegal alien” due to his alleged visa overstay. Federal officials contend that he worked for the New York City Council without a valid work permit for approximately a year.
In response to the circumstances surrounding his detention, local officials, including Mayor Zoran Mamdani, have publicly disputed DHS claims. They assert that Rubio Bojórquez had the necessary legal permissions to live and work in the United States. Menin stated, “We are outraged and will continue to pursue all legal avenues to secure his release.”
According to DHS, Rubio Bojórquez entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa in 2017 but was supposed to leave the country within the same year. Menin countered that he had been granted permission to remain until October 2026, describing the entry error as part of a technical issue related to his asylum application.
Local officials have highlighted that while procedural discrepancies led to the current situation, Rubio Bojórquez had followed all immigration protocols. They expressed concern over a decision that could be influenced by what they deem an unintended bureaucratic error. Menin emphasized, “A person who did everything right and posed no danger to anyone should not have his fate determined by a technical error.”
The City Council President and Mayor Mamdani have vowed to file an appeal and called for Rubio Bojórquez’s immediate release while legal proceedings are underway. Menin stressed that continuing to detain him is unjustifiable given the circumstances surrounding his case. “Rafael should not continue to be detained while this matter is resolved,” she asserted, demanding a fair hearing before the April 17 deadline.
