Department of Homeland Security officials on Friday said federal immigration agents were justified in using deadly force during the arrest of an immigrant in New York City’s Marble Hill neighborhood on Thursday, alleging the man \u201cweaponized his vehicle\u201d against agents trying to take him into custody.<\/p>\n
Marcos Charles, a top U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official, also said Oscar Belgal, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who was shot and injured by agents in the chaotic encounter in the bustling neighborhood Thursday afternoon, has been placed in an out-of-state detention center. Charles, the executive associate director of ICE\u2019s Enforcement and Removal Operations wing, provided no further detail, including on the extent of Belgal\u2019s injuries.<\/p>\n
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters in Washington, D.C. on Friday morning that the ICE officers involved in the arrest were unaware that a child was in Belgal’s vehicle. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the 5-year-old boy, believed to be Belgal\u2019s son, was uninjured and placed under a family member’s care.<\/p>\n
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other city leaders condemned the ICE action and renewed calls for the federal government to end immigration enforcement efforts in the city. ICE, the mayor said, \u201chas killed more of our neighbors than they claim to save.”<\/p>\n
Mullin blamed the violence on the city\u2019s sanctuary policies and chided Mamdani for his remarks.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis words are dangerous and incite hostility,\u201d Mullin said.<\/p>\n
Mullin confirmed that he had spoken with Mamdani several times, and that President Donald Trump had also been involved in the discussions. Trump said he\u2019d release Belgal into the NYPD’s custody, but Mamdani refused that offer, according to Mullin. There was no immediate comment from the mayor\u2019s office on that matter.<\/p>\n
Make the Road New York, the local branch of a national immigration advocacy group, said its lawyers have filed an emergency habeas petition on Belgal’s behalf, advocating for his release. A hearing in his case was scheduled for Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Charles said the ICE agents used their vehicles to block Belgal’s vehicle. He added that Belgal refused orders to exit his vehicle, and then accelerated, smashing into two ICE vehicles before proceeding to accelerate toward other officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of his escalation, we had to use force,\u201d Mullin said.<\/p>\n