Ms Rachel Says Boy, 5, in ICE Shooting Car Was 'Deeply Harmed' as Judge Blocks His Father's Deportation

Oscar Belgal remains in federal custody in Brooklyn, but Homeland Security still wants him out of the country

Ms Rachel, Oscar Belgal, ICE shooting New York — Markwayne Mullin (left). Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark's office is investigating the gunfire by an immigration agent in Marble Hill, New York King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Children's presenter Ms Rachel said a five-year-old boy 'was deeply harmed' after an agent from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot his father. The boy, sitting in the back seat, was not physically injured. On Friday, a federal judge temporarily barred the government from deporting Oscar Belgal, 28, whose surname appears as Bergal in court filings.

Police said the agent fired seven shots on Thursday, 8 October. ICE officers were trying to arrest Belgal in Marble Hill, New York. A bullet hit his neck. Since President Donald Trump's second term began, federal immigration agents have shot at least 21 people, the Legal Aid Society says.

Ms Rachel's Response on Instagram

Ms Rachel, born Rachel Griffin Accurso, has more than 20 million YouTube subscribers, Social Blade says. Her Instagram post on Friday 9 October rejected reports calling the boy unharmed, saying he watched the shooting. Shown below, it condemned harm to detained children and questioned calls for a more Christian America while children suffer.

Ms Rachel, Oscar Belgal — Msrachelforlittles via Instagram

The five-year-old is with his mother, a lawyer said. Belgal also has a one-year-old, his lawyers say. Harold Solis, Belgal's lawyer from immigrant rights group Make the Road New York, said a criminal record did not make it lawful 'to shoot a father in the afternoon with his son in the backseat,' ABC7 New York reported. Police arrested five people at Manhattan protests on Thursday night.

The Government's Version of Thursday's Arrest

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Friday agents did not know the boy was inside. He said Belgal, a Dominican national officials say lacks US legal status, had fled arrest in September. Federal officials alleged Belgal accelerated, struck two government vehicles and appeared to head towards officers. 'Oscar knew he had a child in his car,' the secretary said. He said ICE agents wore body cameras and pledged to release the footage at an unspecified date.

Immigration officials linked Belgal to the Trinitarios gang. Mullin said officials believe Belgal may have known, directly or indirectly, about a 2025 shooting of a Customs and Border Protection officer. Belgal pleaded guilty to grand larceny after a 2023 robbery arrest and got five years' probation, police said. Court records show his 2025 drug-sale case is pending, with a not guilty plea. City cameras filmed agents approaching the car but missed the shooting.

What Happens Next for Belgal

Judge J. Paul Oetken's order bars removal from the US, or transfers beyond the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey, without court approval. His lawyers argue ICE had no valid warrant. Belgal has left hospital for a Brooklyn federal jail, officials said. Lawyer Paige Austin said Belgal 'told us he still has a bullet in his body,' ABC7 New York reported.

ICE removals chief Marcos Charles said officials would pursue criminal charges against Belgal, then seek to deport him as quickly as possible. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark is investigating the shooting. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said two hours of phone talks with Trump and Mullin failed to secure Belgal's release.