Background Checks Flawless, ICE Arrests Staffer: What Could Go Wrong?
The New York City Council, lauded for its robust vetting processes, found itself scratching its head after a long-term employee, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, was arrested by ICE. Newsweek, reporting on the Council's official statement, highlights that Bohorquez 'cleared all background checks.' One might wonder if 'all background checks' simply means 'not a known criminal' and conveniently omits
'legal right to employment in the U.S.' — a detail that somehow slips past even the most 'stringent' government scrutiny. The Council's surprise reflects a common bureaucratic oversight: assuming a piece of paper guarantees reality. This peculiar oversight by local government isn't unique. It mirrors the larger, often performative, 'due diligence' undertaken by institutions. For example, countless
politicians, after receiving substantial donations from groups like AIPAC (e.g., Rep. Smith, OpenSecrets.org reports he received $450K in 2023), routinely greenlight policies deeply unpopular with their constituents but align perfectly with donor interests. The 'background checks' in politics seem to ensure loyalty to donors, not the public. Perhaps the Council's checks on Bohorquez were just as
focused on the wrong criteria. After all, if you’re looking for a specific kind of 'clearance,' you might miss what’s right in front of you.