Immigration judge orders deportation of NYC Council employee after ICE arrest

Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez reportedly overstayed a tourist visa, while city officials claim he had legal authorization to remain

An immigration judge has ordered the deportation of a former New York City Council employee, federal officials said in January, who was an undocumented immigrant with a prior assault arrest.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced the deportation ruling on Wednesday, condemning it as a "miscarriage of justice and wholly deplorable" and pledging to fight back by filing an appeal.

Two months ago, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, 53, was detained during an immigration appointment and was identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a Venezuelan "criminal illegal alien" who overstayed his visa.

Federal officials said that despite lacking work authorization, Rubio Bohorquez was employed by the New York City Council as a data analyst for roughly one year.