Protests in New York as US homeland security chief defends ICE shooting

On Friday, demonstrators assembled in New York following the incident where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers discharged a firearm at Oscar Bergal, a 28-year-old Dominican man, in the Bronx. The resulting confrontation has strained relations between New York City's Democratic mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and the Trump administration.

Bergal was wounded in the neck, while a five-year-old child present in the car sustained no injuries. Mayor Mamdani denounced ICE, writing "Abolish ICE" on social media, a sentiment echoed by the city's residents.

U.S. Homeland Security Chief Markwayne Mullin dismissed Mamdani's remarks as "dangerous and incite hostility," emphasizing the necessity of ICE officers in maintaining public safety. He questioned who would handle criminals, murderers, and gang members if ICE were disbanded. The protest in Manhattan, stretching several blocks, featured chants advocating for immigrant rights and opposing ICE presence.

New York, a Democratic stronghold, has been among several U.S. cities that prohibit police assistance in federal immigration enforcement. Mayor Mamdani expressed intent to discuss the removal of ICE agents from the city with President Trump. Video footage of the shooting depicts federal agents approaching Bergal's vehicle, leading to a collision with other ICE vehicles and attempts by the driver to flee.

ICE officials asserted that Bergal had a criminal history and refused lawful orders to exit his car, subsequently reversing into ICE vehicles before accelerating towards officers.

ICE agents, often in civilian attire, have been involved in several high-profile shootings this year, including the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez in March 2025 and Lorenzo Salgado in July. Additionally, two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota earlier this year during a crackdown on undocumented migrants.