NYC Mayor Mamdani to Probe ICE After Agent Shoots Migrant

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Sunday that the city will investigate a shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and the NYPD’s subsequent response. The incident occurred during the apprehension of an undocumented immigrant.

Mamdani, a vocal critic of ICE, reiterated his calls for the federal agency to cease operations in New York City. He described the agency's actions as akin to those of a terrorist organization rather than a law enforcement body.

"The city is still dealing with having been terrorized by a rogue federal agency," Mamdani stated during an interview on MS Now. He has previously characterized the agency as "rotten to its core."

The shooting victim, identified as Oscar Belgal, 28, is an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic. He was struck in the neck while a 5-year-old child was in the backseat of the vehicle. Authorities reported that Belgal has faced previous arrests for grand larceny, robbery, and alleged drug sales, and has been accused of prior acts of violence, including brandishing a machete, and suspected ties to the Trinitarios street gang.

Mamdani, however, emphasized Belgal's physical injury and the potential trauma to his son. He criticized the ICE agents' actions, particularly their use of construction vests and firing at a moving vehicle in daylight.

"It feels as if you’re looking at a mass shooter as opposed to seeing some purportedly representing a federal agency," Mamdani said. "What New Yorkers want to see is the end of ICE activities across our city. In New York City it is not acceptable to be firing at a moving vehicle …to be shooting at a car where there is a 5-year-old in it. There’s a reason why the NYPD would not be shooting at a moving vehicle."

The mayor mentioned that his discussions with President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin regarding the incident did not result in an agreement, with the secretary reportedly not believing ICE had acted improperly. Mamdani stated that he refused to detain Belgal due to the absence of an arrest warrant.

"They’re making a mockery of what law and order is supposed to be, and then they want us to justify their actions for them," Mamdani claimed.

The city's review will encompass the events of the shooting, the NYPD's actions, and the handling of any subsequent protests. It will also examine the use of a Target parking lot as a staging area by ICE.

"We will use every tool at our disposal to keep New York safe," he added. Mamdani asserted that 70% of undocumented migrants detained by ICE lack criminal records and accused the agency of disrupting families. "Trusting ICE’s word is a fool’s errand. It’s rinse and repeat. I am demanding ICE cease operations in the city immediately. It leaves New York less safe."