Darializa Avila Chevalier says the criminal record of Dominican migrant shot by ICE “doesn’t even matter”

New York congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier said the criminal history of Oscar Belgal, an undocumented migrant wounded by federal immigration agents in the Bronx, “doesn’t even matter,” arguing that authorities were unfairly portraying him as a villain.

Speaking to streamer Hasan Piker, Chevalier defended Belgal’s actions during the October 8 encounter, saying he was trying to protect his 5-year-old son when he attempted to drive away from plainclothes ICE agents.

“Put yourself in Oscar’s shoes,” she said, describing the agents approaching his vehicle and displaying their weapons. She also called for Belgal’s release and repeated her demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement be abolished.

Authorities said Belgal entered the United States illegally in 2022. According to the report, he has a 2023 armed robbery conviction and was arrested in 2025 on allegations of selling fentanyl, cocaine and heroin. He was wounded in the neck during the Bronx encounter and is being held in federal custody in Brooklyn.

The shooting sparked protests calling for federal immigration agents to leave New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch criticized the federal operation, saying the NYPD had not been involved or notified in advance. Chevalier also accused Tisch of focusing on Belgal’s criminal history rather than condemning the shooting.