‘Deeply concerning’: Democratic congressional candidate rebukes ICE’s presence in New York

Darializa Avila Chevalier

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic congressional candidate, has emerged as a vocal critic of the New York Police Department's (NYPD) actions during a protest in the Marble Hill neighborhood. The protest erupted after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican man, while he was with a child in his car. Chevalier contends that the NYPD's conduct, including the police commissioner's public mention of Belgal's criminal record and the officers' actions towards protesters, demonstrated an alignment with the Trump administration's narrative rather than a commitment to New York City's sanctuary policies. She believes the NYPD's focus on preserving evidence and their alleged 'inaction' in protecting protesters from a 'militia that just shot someone' was a failure to uphold the spirit of these laws.

Chevalier's critique extends beyond the immediate incident, as she advocates for the complete abolition of ICE, stating that sanctuary policies would be unnecessary if the agency did not exist. Her stance aligns with other progressive figures like Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who also called for ICE's abolition and condemned the shooting as 'unconscionable.' However, Chevalier is also pushing for the disbanding of the NYPD's strategic response group (SRG), a unit criticized for its aggressive protest crackdowns, and has called for Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to step down. Chevalier herself was reportedly knocked to the ground by an officer during the protest, an incident she described as being 'grabbed and then thrown down to the ground,' underscoring her direct involvement and the heightened tensions.

Oscar Belgal

The incident that sparked the protest involved Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican man who was shot by an ICE agent in Marble Hill. Belgal was reportedly in his car with a five-year-old child in the backseat at the time of the shooting; the child was unharmed, but Belgal sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. Following his treatment, ICE reportedly took him into custody, with the Department of Homeland Security stating he was undocumented. The shooting and subsequent events have ignited significant controversy, particularly concerning the role of local law enforcement in assisting federal immigration operations and the treatment of both the victim and the protesters. The NYPD stated their officers were present to preserve evidence, not to assist in the federal immigration operation itself. However, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch's decision to publicly disclose Belgal's prior criminal record during a press conference has been heavily criticized by Chevalier and others as an attempt to 'villainize' Belgal and undermine the city's sanctuary status.

Marble Hill

The Marble Hill neighborhood in New York City became the focal point of protests and political debate following the ICE shooting of Oscar Belgal. This incident has brought to the forefront the complex relationship between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement in a city that has historically positioned itself as a sanctuary for immigrants. Protesters, including Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, gathered to demand ICE's departure from the neighborhood and to condemn the shooting. The NYPD's response to the protest, which involved setting up barricades, clashing with demonstrators, and reportedly pushing Chevalier to the ground, has drawn significant criticism. The presence of ICE in a residential neighborhood and the subsequent use of force have amplified calls for reform and accountability, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing public safety with immigration rights and civil liberties in urban centers like New York City. The community's anger and frustration are palpable, with residents questioning the necessity and justification of such federal actions on their streets.