Incident In Albany Raises Concerns Over Sanctuary City Policies

A U.S. attorney is voicing serious concerns about sanctuary city policies after he was allegedly threatened by an undocumented immigrant armed with a knife. John Salcone III, who represents the Upstate District of New York, described the unsettling experience as he was walking to the capitol in Albany. He noticed a man behaving suspiciously nearby, which made him uneasy.

“I could have just continued walking,” he shared, reflecting on the moment. “But it felt like there was a risk involved.”

During the incident, the man began shouting in a language Salcone didn’t understand. He recalled, “I didn’t acknowledge him. I kept my gaze forward, but then I saw him approaching from the corner of my eye.” The suspect drew a knife and, according to Salcone, seemed to be threatening him.

After the confrontation, Salcone remarked, “If he had gotten away, he could have harmed someone.” He made the decision to stay near the suspect until authorities arrived.

The man threatening Salcone has been identified as Saul Morales Garcia, a 40-year-old immigrant from El Salvador who entered the U.S. illegally in 2021. He is currently facing charges of attempted murder, weapon possession, and intimidation.

In discussing the attack, Salcone pointed to sanctuary city policies as a contributing factor, expressing his views directly to Governor Kathy Hochul during a call after the incident. “She was very sympathetic and concerned,” he said. “But I made it clear, Sanctuary City policies are not working.”

This incident echoes broader concerns regarding safety and immigration policies, particularly as the Justice Department has recently filed a lawsuit against New York over similar sanctuary issues. The lawsuit challenges laws that complicate the detention of undocumented immigrants, raising ongoing debates in the state and beyond.