A Bronx shooting involving ICE and a criminal illegal immigrant named Oscar Belgal has set off a wave of public anger directed at Democratic Socialists of America figures who criticized the federal agency’s actions, according to letters published in the New York Post’s Oct. 16 edition.
The letters take particular aim at congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, a DSA-aligned figure who reportedly objected to Belgal being targeted by ICE and has called for the firing of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Letter writers note that Chevalier has not yet been sworn into office.
“Without even waiting to be sworn into office, Chevalier has shown New Yorkers that making the city a better place is not part of her agenda.”
Writers also criticized incoming New York City Mayor Mamdani, arguing he has prioritized socialist policies over addressing crime tied to illegal immigration, leaving NYPD officers to manage the fallout.
“He needs to wipe that grin off his face, be quiet, and focus on the job he was elected to do.”
One writer defended ICE directly against DSA criticism:
“ICE is not the problem. These officers are taking criminals off our streets and deserve our respect.”
Several letters linked the controversy to broader frustration with illegal immigration nationally, with one writer pointing to the more than 10 million people who crossed the border under President Biden and arguing the root cause was a lack of law and order in migrants’ home countries.
Mamdani Skips Columbus Day Parade
A separate batch of letters addressed Mamdani’s decision not to march in New York City’s Columbus Day Parade. Writers, several identifying as Italian-American, said they were relieved he stayed away.
“What Italian-American in their right mind would want to be associated with a socialist?”
Letter writers also referenced Mamdani’s past praise for former New York Rep. Vito Marcantonio, an Italian-American congressman from the 1940s who was investigated over alleged communist ties, and an earlier photo of the mayor gesturing at a Columbus statue with a “Tear it down” caption.
“Mayor Mamdani has alienated two of the city’s legacy ethnic groups — the Jews and the Italians.”
One writer argued that attending the parade would have given Mamdani a chance to repair relations with the Italian-American community rather than widen the rift.
