Bronx, NY — Council Member Justin Sanchez issued the following statement in response to a developing story about a staff member from New York City Council being detained by ICE,

“Today’s detention of a New York City Council staff member by ICE is deeply alarming. I have full confidence in the leadership of Speaker Menin who is actively working toward their immediate release and has rightly called this an outrageous situation.

I urge all employers throughout our city to discuss plans and procedures for any interaction with ICE, regardless of their employees’ citizenship status. ICE’s reckless and unchecked actions put New Yorkers at risk, and everyone should exercise caution. It is increasingly evident that detainments and violence carried out by ICE can happen to anybody at any moment.

I stand in solidarity with Speaker Menin and my colleagues in the City Council, looking forward to the safe and swift return home of our colleague.”

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