DHS Defends Controversial ICE Shooting in New York City That Left Undocumented Migrant Injured

The United States Department of Homeland Security has defended an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting in New York City that occurred while a child was present inside the vehicle. Federal officials utilized the event to criticize sanctuary-city policies that restrict local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while New York officials strongly condemned the shooting and demanded an end to ICE operations in the city.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when ICE officers attempted to stop a man identified by New York City police as Oscar Belgal. During a Friday news conference, Homeland Security officials explained that Belgal refused to exit his car and subsequently accelerated, striking two ICE vehicles. Officers then opened fire, grazing Belgal’s neck as his five-year-old child sat in the back seat.

According to federal officials, Belgal received initial first aid before being transported to a hospital and later transferred to a secure detention facility outside of New York state. His exact location was not disclosed. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that agents were unaware of the child's presence in the vehicle when they discharged their weapons.

ICE senior official Marcos Charles noted that the arrest attempt was part of an ongoing investigation into suspected gang involvement linked to the earlier shooting of a US Customs and Border Protection officer. US officials identified Belgal as an undocumented migrant from the Dominican Republic who had previously evaded law enforcement and served a five-year sentence for grand larceny in April 2025.

“[Belgal] was a thug,” Mullin stated during the Friday press briefing, calling him “the absolute worst of the worst.” Mullin confirmed that participating officers were wearing body cameras, though the footage has not yet been released to the public. Meanwhile, the New York City police published bodycam footage from local officers who responded to a 911 call regarding the incident.

Previous violent encounters involving federal immigration officers have faced scrutiny when video evidence contradicted initial statements from ICE and Homeland Security officials. Notable examples include incidents in Minneapolis involving the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, which challenged official accounts.

The Bronx shooting triggered protests on Thursday night, with demonstrators condemning ICE and demanding the abolition of the agency. Tensions heightened following clashes between New York City Police Department officers and protesters at the scene.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani harshly criticized the shooting and stated he contacted US President Donald Trump to demand a halt to ICE enforcement within the city. Speaking to reporters late Thursday in the Bronx, Mamdani reported that his efforts to secure Belgal's release via phone calls with both Trump and Mullin were unsuccessful. “These actions are making the city less safe,” Mamdani declared. “ICE is rotten to its core.”

In response, Mullin accused Mamdani of prioritizing political agendas over public safety. He added that President Trump had offered to transfer Belgal to New York police custody should local authorities pursue charges, an offer that Mullin stated Mamdani declined.