City Council Advocates for Immigrant Rights Following Detention of Council Employee by ICE

New York City Council members convened on February 12, 2026, to address the ongoing detention of Raphael Rubio, a city council employee who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in. The council discussed urgent actions being taken to secure his release and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting immigrant rights amid heightened federal immigration enforcement. This meeting reflects growing concerns regarding the treatment of immigrants and the need for legislative reforms to uphold sanctuary policies in New York City.

# What’s happening
– The City Council is advocating for the release of Raphael Rubio, detained by ICE during a routine appointment.
– Council members are coordinating with legal teams to secure Rubio’s release and improve immigrant protections.
– The efforts are immediate as they seek to protect other immigrants from similar situations.

# Why it matters
– Approximately 19 New Yorkers have lost their lives in harsh conditions, affecting many immigrant families.
– Enhanced protections for immigrants ensure safety and compliance with the city’s sanctuary policies.

# Key details
– Date of meeting: February 12, 2026.
– Location: City Hall, New York City.
– Raphael Rubio’s bond was unjustly denied on February 2, 2026, and is currently under appeal.
– The council is in constant contact with Rubio’s family and is requesting legal assistance from the New York Attorney General’s office.

The meeting underscored the city council’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of immigrants, particularly in light of Raphael Rubio’s detention. Council Speaker Julie Menin stated that Rubio was apprehended during a mandatory ICE check-in, despite holding all necessary legal documentation to work for the council. This incident has raised alarms regarding the transparency and accountability of governmental procedures concerning immigration enforcement (Source: https://youtu.be/gtfLh1uziI4&t=241).

Following the detention, council members quickly mobilized, collaborating with the New York Immigration Coalition to file a habeas corpus petition for Rubio on the day he was detained. This swift action illustrates the council’s commitment to addressing his situation urgently (Source: https://youtu.be/gtfLh1uziI4&t=1064).

The discussion also focused on reinforcing existing sanctuary protections through proposed legislation, including Intro 214, which aims to hold city agencies accountable for violations of sanctuary laws and discourage ICE cooperation during routine immigration processes. Council members emphasized the necessity for clear guidelines and enhanced training for city personnel to uphold these safeguards (Source: https://youtu.be/Q1tjMC9NXy8&t=1552).

Attendees expressed significant concern about the wider impact of ICE’s operations on immigrant communities, highlighting the climate of fear that discourages individuals from seeking essential services (Source: https://youtu.be/Q1tjMC9NXy8&t=14333). The urgency of this meeting reflects the council’s ongoing determination to oppose federal enforcement actions and ensure that the rights and dignity of all New Yorkers are respected moving forward (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2026/02/13/nyc-council-advocates-for-immigrant-protections-following-detention-of-employee-by-ice/).