During a live interview on Fox & Friends, New York Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman denounced pop singer Harry Styles for honoring Oscar Belgal, a 28‑year‑old illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic who was shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a traffic stop. Blakeman called the tribute “out‑of‑touch” and “elitist,” insisting that individuals with criminal histories belong behind bars, not on stage.
Details of the ICE shooting
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Belgal was shot on Thursday after allegedly refusing to comply with officers conducting a targeted arrest operation. ICE officials said Belgal has prior arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession and weapons possession, and that federal investigators suspect ties to the Trinitarios street gang.
Belgal is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn with a bullet lodged in his neck. His legal team claims he is enduring “deplorable conditions” while in custody.
Harry Styles’ tribute
While performing his 30‑night residency at Madison Square Garden, Styles paused to say, “I just want us to take a moment to think about Oscar Belgal tonight, and I want us to just think and remember to just look after each other.” The singer framed the moment as a call for dignity and justice.
Blakeman’s response
Blakeman argued that illegal immigrants with criminal records should be deported and that celebrities like Styles are insulated from the real consequences of immigration policy. “It’s elitist, it’s out‑of‑touch and quite frankly, it’s wrong,” he said. “We have to get these illegal migrants with criminal records out of our communities.” He warned that such individuals could be placed in neighborhoods with Hispanic, Latino, Asian‑American, African‑American and Caribbean populations, potentially harming those communities.
The candidate also criticized Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for opposing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Blakeman claimed that New York has failed to honor more than 16,000 ICE detainers since January 2025, according to DHS data, and labeled the city’s stance as putting residents in danger.
Federal officials weigh in
Senior ICE official Marcos Charles defended the officers’ actions at a news conference, stating the agents acted in accordance with policy. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson later criticized Styles’ tribute, saying, “Imagine taking law enforcement advice from a man who dresses in women’s clothes while hiding behind armed private security.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Styles for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Context for New Yorkers
The exchange highlights the ongoing debate in New York over immigration enforcement, a key issue in the upcoming gubernatorial race. Blakeman’s comments underscore his platform of stricter immigration policies, while the state’s Democratic leadership continues to push back against federal enforcement actions.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
