The Secretary of Homeland Security, Christy Noem, criticized New York City’s “sanctuary urban policy” following recent shootings involving customs and border officers outside the United States.
In a statement released on Monday, Noem mentioned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had managed to apprehend a second suspect linked to the shooting that occurred earlier that morning.
The suspect, identified as Christian Aibar Velour, is an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Noem expressed frustration over the fact that he was not detained sooner.
“Christian Aibar Velour is undocumented from the Dominican Republic. He entered the country illegally in 2022 during the Biden administration, and his order was ultimately overturned by an immigration judge in 2023,” she stated in a post on Social Platform X.
Noem criticized the policies of Democratic Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, claiming they allowed this individual to remain free despite a criminal history. She noted, “He has been arrested for reckless endangerment and theft but was released before ICE could take him off the streets.”
At a press conference later that day, Noem reiterated her concerns. “There’s absolutely no reason for such a dangerous individual to be roaming New York City’s streets. He has a history of four arrests here, released to endanger the public due to the mayor’s and the sanctuary city policies,” she stated.
Noem pointed out that a Border Patrol officer was now hospitalized, fighting for his life as a result of the mayor’s policies and the overall safety measures—or lack thereof—in the city.
The officer, aged 42, was injured over the weekend during what was described as a botched robbery in a park under the George Washington Bridge.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish reported that the officer was shot in the face and arm after confronting two men on a moped while they were with a woman in the park just before midnight. When one man approached the officer, gunfire erupted between them. Officials noted that the would-be robber was injured before escaping with the moped driver.
Authorities had previously taken into custody a 21-year-old named Miguel Mora, who arrived at Bronx Hospital with gunshot wounds. They were still searching for the second suspect linked to the incident.
Mora, another undocumented immigrant, has a significant criminal history, including charges of domestic violence in New York after entering the U.S. illegally through Arizona in 2023. He also faces robbery and felony assault charges in New York and has warrants in Massachusetts for weapons-related offenses.
Notably, the “Sanctuary City” policy in New York City, established under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, remains in effect. Adams has shown interest in cooperating with the Trump administration to enforce stricter immigration measures.
