GOP Candidate Slams Harry Styles for Honoring Migrant Shot by ICE

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has criticized singer Harry Styles for honoring a migrant who was shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a concert at Madison Square Garden. Blakeman, in comments made on "Fox & Friends," labeled Styles an "out-of-touch" elitist for the tribute, suggesting the singer should "put that guy on his tour bus and tour around the country with this guy."

Styles, during his 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden, paused to acknowledge Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old migrant from the Dominican Republic. Belgal was shot by ICE on Thursday while his 5-year-old son was in the car. Styles called for "dignity and justice" and urged the audience to "look after each other."

Blakeman argued that illegal immigrants with prior convictions should be deported and not defended by celebrities. "It's elitist, it's out-of-touch and quite frankly, it's wrong," Blakeman told Fox News. "We have to get these illegal migrants with criminal records out of our communities."

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Belgal has previous arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession, and weapons possession. Federal officials also allege he has ties to the Trinitarios street gang. ICE Senior Official Marcos Charles stated that agents opened fire during a targeted arrest operation after Belgal allegedly refused to comply with officers.

Blakeman, who is campaigning for New York governor, contended that celebrities are insulated from the consequences of immigration policies. "Harry Styles and elitists like him, they know that these criminals aren't going to move into their neighborhoods," he said. "They're going to move into neighborhoods with Hispanic and Latino populations, Asian-American populations, African-American and Caribbean populations, and hurt those communities and try and get those kids into their drug gangs."

A DHS spokesperson also criticized Styles' tribute, stating, "Imagine taking law enforcement advice from a man who dresses in women’s clothes while hiding behind armed private security."

Blakeman's remarks come as New York leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have faced scrutiny over immigration enforcement. DHS data indicates that over 16,000 ICE detainers have not been honored by New York since January 2025. Mamdani has previously described ICE as "rotten to its core."