Democratic socialist House nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier dismissed an illegal immigrant’s criminal record as irrelevant after he was shot during an ICE operation in New York City. Speaking with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, Chevalier accused the NYPD of “villainizing” Oscar Belgal. She also demanded that federal authorities release him. She ended the interview with a expletive-laced call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Chevalier is the Democratic nominee for New York’s 13th Congressional District. The district covers Upper Manhattan and part of the Bronx. Her comments came after ICE agents shot Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican national, in the neck during an operation in the Marble Hill neighborhood on October 8th. At least one officer fired seven rounds after Belgal began driving away from the agents, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Chevalier told Piker she became angry when Belgal’s reported criminal history and alleged ties to the Trinitarios street gang were discussed after the shooting. “I was just so angry,” she said. “To me, it doesn’t even matter.” Piker agreed with her response during the interview.
Chevalier turned her criticism toward the city’s police commissioner. “Police Commissioner [Jessica] Tisch came out, and I understand it’s her role to provide more information,” Chevalier said, according to the New York Post’s report. “But rather than condemn ICE, rather than condemn the shooting or the events that are taking place, she started to villainize Oscar.” Chevalier had already called for Tisch to resign following the operation.
The congressional nominee presented Belgal’s attempt to flee the federal agents as justified. “Put yourself in Oscar’s shoes,” she told Piker before describing the agents approaching his vehicle. “You’re running. I’m sorry, you’re protecting your child.” Belgal’s felony conviction and pending drug charges didn’t alter her position.
Belgal was taken to a hospital after being wounded by police. He was later placed in federal custody in Brooklyn and moved to an out-of-state facility. Chevalier demanded his release, repeating a call previously made by Democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “He needs to be released,” she declared.
Watch Chevalier’s exchange with Piker here:
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Federal authorities said Belgal entered the United States illegally in 2022. He was arrested on a robbery charge in 2023 and later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny, for which he received five years’ probation. He was arrested again in August 2025 on pending charges accusing him of selling fentanyl, cocaine and heroin to an undercover detective, and court records show that he pleaded not guilty. Piker supplied details about the robbery and drug case after Chevalier said Belgal’s record did not matter to her assessment of the shooting.
A former neighbor accused Belgal of pulling a machete on another resident’s nephew during a dispute outside his former Washington Heights apartment building. One resident offered a blunt assessment of Belgal’s conduct. “He’s a menace to society,” the resident said. Authorities have also identified Belgal as a reputed member of the Trinitarios street gang.
The ICE operation prompted demonstrations demanding that federal immigration agents leave New York City. Tisch and Mamdani both condemned the operation. They also stressed that the NYPD neither participated in it nor received advance notice. Chevalier separately wrote, “The NYPD spent more time protecting a militia that just shot someone than protecting New Yorkers,” while renewing her demand for Tisch’s resignation.
Stu Smith, an investigative analyst with the Manhattan Institute, commented on the interview in a post on X. “This is a fascinating glimpse into DSA-style co-governance in action, revealing both the growing tensions over the Mamdani administration and the movement’s commitment to abolitionism,” Smith wrote. Piker later asked Chevalier for her parting words. “F–- ICE and abolish it,” she replied.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.