Oscar Belgal’s Condition After ICE Shooting in New York City

Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, remains in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, according to his attorneys. Belgal was shot four days earlier by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Marble Hill, New York City, and is still awaiting deportation proceedings. His lawyers report that Belgal still has a bullet lodged in his neck and is in urgent need of specialized surgery to remove it.

Details of the ICE Shooting Incident

The ICE shooting occurred while Belgal was driving with his 5-year-old son in the car. According to federal officials, ICE agents moved in to surround Belgal’s vehicle. As Belgal began to drive away, at least one of the agents opened fire. The incident has drawn attention not only for the use of force but also for the presence of a young child in the vehicle. Homeland security officials have stated that the agents did not know a child was inside the car at the time of the shooting.

Medical Neglect and Solitary Confinement Claims

Attorneys from The Legal Aid Society and Make the Road New York have raised concerns about Belgal's medical treatment since his detention. They report that Belgal's doctors recommended urgent surgery to remove the bullet, but the procedure could not be performed last week due to the lack of a specialist surgeon. Instead, Belgal remains in the federal lockup, and attorneys claim he has lost feeling on the left side of his face and has not received proper meals since the incident, forcing him to drink water from the bathroom sink.

Criticism of ICE’s Handling of the Case

In a joint statement, the Legal Aid Society and Make the Road New York criticized ICE’s conduct, describing it as “deliberate indifference” to Belgal’s medical needs and human dignity. "The deliberate indifference Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed toward Mr. Belgal when he was shot on Thursday, and the treatment he has endured in detention since, are further examples of the cruelty and disregard for basic human dignity that have long defined this agency," the groups stated.

Questions Surrounding Solitary Confinement

Harold Solis, an attorney from Make the Road New York, expressed concern about why Belgal is being held in solitary confinement on civil immigration removal charges. Solis noted that Belgal has had no specialized medical consultation, even though hospital staff indicated he urgently needs one. "It’s not clear to us why a person with a bullet in their body is in solitary confinement and hasn't been seen by medical specialists that apparently even the hospital told him he needs," Solis stated.

Political and Community Response

The incident has sparked reactions from advocacy groups and local officials. Following the shooting, the Democratic Socialists of America called on New York City Council Member Zohran Mamdani to demand the firing of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch if ICE agents cannot be kept out of the city—a call that, according to a mayoral spokesperson, is not being acted upon. Commissioner Tisch previously confirmed that Belgal was first taken by NYPD officers to NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, then transferred by ICE agents to the Brooklyn lockup.

Ongoing Concerns About Immigration Enforcement Practices

The shooting and its aftermath have intensified scrutiny of ICE’s role in New York City. Questions persist about the use of force during immigration enforcement, medical neglect during detention, and the rationale for holding an injured detainee in solitary confinement. Advocates continue to call for accountability and improved care for Oscar Belgal as his case unfolds.

Source: gothamist.com.