Since President Trump assumed office, nearly 7,000 known criminal immigrants in New York have been released without notification to ICE, while over 7,000 others remain in jails and prisons, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
These individuals benefit from sanctuary laws, and federal authorities are now urging New York Attorney General Letitia James to hand them over for deportation, as highlighted in a letter sent by DHS to the state’s chief legal officer on Monday.
The numbers reveal how many immigrants have either returned to their communities or been released on bail or parole without ICE being notified, despite their criminal records, which include serious offenses.
In the letter, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons noted that these individuals are not only in the country unlawfully but have also committed severe crimes, including murder and armed robbery.
The document, which was acquired by the Post, cites that 6,947 illegal aliens, including those currently held by ICE, have been released back onto the streets of New York since January 20.
Their criminal histories total thousands of offenses, including attempted murder, assaults, burglaries, and drug offenses.
New York’s sanctuary laws complicate law enforcement cooperation with immigration officials, leading to circumstances where these individuals are released instead of being deported.
Lyons pointed out that most Americans agree that these criminals should be removed from the country quickly after leaving New York custody and not returned to communities where they could cause further harm.
According to ICE, there are currently 7,113 illegal aliens still in custody in New York. Collectively, they are linked to 148 murders, numerous assaults, and various other serious crimes.
This latest letter follows a similar one sent on September 15, which DHS claims was disregarded by James.
James’ office has redirected inquiries to Governor Kathy Hochul’s office.
The letter also notes more than a dozen immigrants with violent backgrounds freed without being reported to immigration authorities recently.
For instance, Anderson Smith Satue Martinez, a Crips gang member with an assault conviction, was initially detained on weapon charges but was released by local authorities, only to be re-arrested by ICE later.
ICE additionally apprehended Jose David Hernandez Hernandez, previously released after being arrested on severe charges, and is currently awaiting deportation proceedings.
Another individual, Alexander Moreno Montoya, had been charged with assaulting a police officer and released, but was later detained by ICE and subsequently deported.
In conclusion, the letter posed a pointed question regarding New York’s commitment to addressing the threats posed by these individuals.
Assistant Secretary of State Tricia McLaughlin criticized Attorney General James and New York lawmakers for allegedly jeopardizing public safety by releasing dangerous individuals into neighborhoods. She urged James to reconsider these practices, emphasizing the need to prevent criminal illegal aliens from returning to the streets.
