More than 20 illegal immigrants were arrested in New York last month by federal officials working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), many for violent crimes. An ICE official blamed some of the arrests on New York City’s “sanctuary” policies, though many of the arrests occurred outside the city.
Deportation officers for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ERO) working out of the New York Field Office made the arrest, according to a press release from the agency, which called “sanctuary city politics” unsafe.
“The sanctuary city politics of this city continue to put the safety of New York residents at risk,” Thomas R. Decker, field office director for ERO NY, said in the press release. “We need our elected officials to stop the rhetoric. The fact remains that ICE makes this city safer by removing criminal aliens and public threats off the street so they are unable to reoffend, victimizing our city residents.”
The agency listed 12 examples of the crimes the illegal immigrants committed, many including violent acts. A Guyanese national was arrested in the Bronx for “Assault 2nd, Assault 3rd, Reckless Endangerment, Menacing, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon.” A Mexican national was arrested for robbery. A Spanish national was arrested for assault, harassment, menacing, and possession of stolen property. Another Mexican national was arrested in Manhattan for assault and “criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.” Another Mexican national was arrested in Kew Gardens for assault, injuring an 11-year-old, and harassment. A Colombian national was arrested in Kew Gardens for strangulation, assault, and harassment. A Guatemalan national was arrested in Spring Valley for rape. A Salvadoran national, associated with the violent MS-13 gang, was arrested for DWI (flashback to when Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey said illegal aliens shouldn’t be deported for driving while intoxicated). Another Colombian national was arrested for assault and intent to cause serious physical injury.
Other examples include drug and tax fraud crimes.
In each case, a detainer was issued for the illegal immigrant, yet it was not “honored,” and the illegal immigrants were released by local law enforcement, according to the press release.
The press release also included some frightening statistics for the New York Field Office, which covers the “southernmost 14 counties of New York State.”
The office made 3,400 arrests in Fiscal Year 2018, and 87% of those arrested had a prior criminal conviction or had criminal charges pending.
In December 2018, ICE conducted a five-day operation in New Jersey that resulted in 105 foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally being taken into custody. Around 80% of those taken into custody had prior criminal convictions or pending charges, according to ICE. Examples of those individuals also included many arrested for violent crime, child abuse, and internationally wanted criminals, The Daily Wire previously reported.
“These outstanding results, which were made possible by our officers and law enforcement partners, highlight the tremendous commitment that ICE ERO has to public safety throughout the state,” John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director of ERO Newark, said in a press release at the time. “Our focus has been and will continue to be on arrests of illegal aliens who have been convicted of serious crimes or those who pose a threat to public safety.”
Democrats, including some from the New York delegation, have called for congress to abolish ICE.
Correction: An earlier version of this article was misworded, wrongfully suggesting New York City officials who made the arrest. It was federal officials working for ICE’s New York Field Office. The original article’s lede also suggested the illegal immigrants were released “thanks to the city’s sanctuary policies.” While some of the criminals were arrested in New York City, many were arrested in other counties, as the article noted later.