Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) weighed in on the shocking footage that showed multiple illegal immigrants pummeling two NYPD officers last weekend, suggesting that deportation is on the table.
Five illegal immigrants were arrested on charges of assault of a police officer after video footage shared by the NYPD showed the officers attempting to arrest one of the illegal immigrants as others kicked and punched the officers in the head. All of the alleged attackers were then released without bail as police search for three more suspects. Hochul was confronted about the attack on Wednesday by a reporter who asked her if the illegal immigrant suspects should be deported, according to The New York Post.
“I think that’s actually something that should be looked at,” Hochul said. “I mean, if someone commits a crime against a police officer in the state of New York and they’re not here legally, it’s definitely worth checking into.”
“These are law enforcement officers who should never under any circumstances be subjected to physical assault,” Hochul added. “It’s wrong on all accounts and I’m looking to judges and prosecutors to do the right thing.”
Around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, the NYPD officers told a group of illegal immigrants who were loitering in the street to move along, but moments later, a fight broke out that saw the illegal immigrants gang up on the two policemen, The New York Post reported. The two officers suffered minor injuries, such as cuts to the face and bruised bodies, and were treated at the scene.
🚨WANTED for ASSAULT: on 1/27 at approx. 8:30 PM, individuals kicked & punched police officers in the head & body when officers were effecting an arrest in front of 220 W 42nd Street. The individuals fled on foot towards 7th Ave. Any info? DM or call @nypdtips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/UDusqdbGgf
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 30, 2024
While New York City’s “sanctuary city” status means authorities don’t usually cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), those who commit violent crimes are not protected by the “sanctuary city” label, legal experts told the Post.
“New York City does not provide sanctuary from prosecution from various violent felonies,” defense attorney and former Manhattan prosecutor Michael Bachner said. “Assaulting an officer, that is the type of offense that I believe would 100% be subject to deportation. The immigration courts, they don’t look kindly on assaulting law enforcement officials.”
Yorman Reveron, 24 — one of the illegal immigrants released without bail after allegedly pummeling the two officers — has two other open cases for assault and robbery. He allegedly “pushed, punched, and bit” an employee at Nordstrom Rack after he was caught trying to steal a $130 item, and in another alleged robbery attempt at Macy’s last month, Reveron is accused of punching a loss prevention officer.
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Since 2022, over 150,000 illegal immigrants have trekked to New York City after taking advantage of President Joe Biden’s lax border policies. Both Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams have repeatedly called on the Biden administration to do more to help the city deal with the influx of illegal immigrants, a crisis that city officials project will cost taxpayers $12 billion over three years and has already affected the budgets for schools, libraries, and the NYPD.