World
DHS Defends ICE Shooting in New York, Citing Perceived Threat to Officers
The United States Department of Homeland Security defended Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) shooting of a man in New York City, saying the officers believed they were in danger. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, involved ICE officers attempting to arrest a man identified by New York City police as Oscar Belgal. According to DHS officials, Belgal refused to exit his car when approached, accelerated, and struck two ICE vehicles. The officers then fired, grazing Belgal’s neck while a five‑year‑old child was in the back seat. Belgal received first aid, was taken to a hospital, and was later transferred to a secure detention facility outside New York state; the specific location was not disclosed.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the agents did not know a child was inside the vehicle when they fired. ICE senior official Marcos Charles explained that the arrest was part of an investigation into suspected gang involvement in an earlier shooting of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Belgal, an undocumented migrant from the Dominican Republic, had previously evaded arrest and received a five‑year sentence for grand larceny in April 2025. Mullin described Belgal as a “thug” and said the agents were wearing body cameras, though the footage has not been released.
New York City police released body‑camera footage of officers who responded to a 911 call about the incident. The footage was released on Friday. In other violent incidents involving federal immigration officers, video evidence has contradicted initial accounts from ICE and Homeland Security officials, such as the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
The shooting prompted protests in the Bronx on Thursday night, where demonstrators condemned ICE and called for the agency to be abolished. Tensions rose after New York Police Department officers clashed with some protesters.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the shooting and said he had called President Donald Trump to demand an end to ICE enforcement in the city. Mamdani said he had tried unsuccessfully to secure Belgal’s release in phone calls with Trump and Mullin, stating, “These actions are making the city less safe. ICE is rotten to its core.” Mullin accused Mamdani of prioritising politics over public safety and said Trump had offered to transfer Belgal to New York police custody if they pursued charges. Mamdani reportedly refused this offer.