Killed Georgia nursing student Laken Riley might still be alive if it weren’t for sanctuary city policies pushed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio and left-wing extremists on the City Council, critics told the Post. Told.
Nearly six months before Riley, 22, was found dead on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, her alleged killer, Jose Antonio Ybarra, 26, was arrested in August. He was arrested in Queens on the 31st and charged with child endangerment.
But in 2014 and 2017, de Blasio and the City Council led by Melissa Mark-Viverito made immigrant-friendly changes to sanctuary city policies, leaving the NYPD with no choice but to release the Venezuelan-born Mr. Ibarra. Because he had no serious criminal convictions, they turned him over to federal immigration officials.
“The situation in New York City is outrageous, and all laws that protect criminals at the expense of New Yorkers must be repealed,” said Queens Councilman Robert Holden.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was “created as a result of what happened during 9/11, and it would be insanity to prevent local law enforcement from communicating with the federal government.” added the Democratic Party lawmaker.
“Georgia’s nursing students would still be alive today if Georgia weren’t a sanctuary city. Their blood is in the hands of Bill de Blasio and Melissa Mark Viverito.”
City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) also said he believes Riley’s death could have been prevented.
“We are not sure if Ibarra was detained and deported.” [before Riley’s death]”But I can assure you it’s not because of a series of laws signed by the previous City Council and de Blasio.”
Mr. de Blasio disputed that the New York City Police Department had previously encountered Mr. Ybarra.
“But it’s a shame that a young and promising life was cut short,” the former mayor said.
“No matter how you look at it, we need stronger border policies and comprehensive immigration reform.”
Mark Viverito said he remains proud of the laws he helped pass to protect immigrants.
“it is clear [Holden] They are not familiar with the law and how it works,” the former speaker said.
“That’s why I say he’s not serious. He just wants airtime and print time to spout MAGA talking points.
“The same reasons why this law was enacted in the first place, and much of the reporting on it, are still valid, and I support the law as it stands.”
Mr. Holden and Mr. Borelli told the Post they plan to introduce a bill to repeal the sanctuary city rules.
“We have to start by introducing legislation, and then it’s up to the public to remind their members of Congress that they should prioritize the public over repeat offenders and violent criminals,” Borrelli said. Ta.
But even if Mayor Eric Adams agrees to support it, as most political observers expected, getting such a bill approved will likely be a long and difficult battle.
Adams, a former New York City police lieutenant, on Tuesday called for the rules to be relaxed so that immigrants “suspected” of “serious” crimes can also be turned over to ICE. It is similar to the Sanctuary City policy that was once implemented in 1989 under the former New York City Police Department. -Mayor Ed Koch and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
But Council President Adrian Adams shot down the idea the next day, saying she and the rest of the council’s progressive Democratic majority would not consider changing the rules.
