Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) has accused the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams of “obstructing” her requests for data on crimes committed by immigrants in and around tax-funded shelters.
The congressman told The Washington Post on Wednesday that he requested such statistics under the Freedom of Information Act in January.
“Type of Request: Request for statistics on how many crimes occurred inside or within a five block radius of city-operated migrant shelters between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023,” the request read.
“How many of those arrested listed a city-run shelter as their home address, and what were their primary charges during this same period,” the report added. “Have you instructed the NYPD to track detailed records of incidents and crimes involving immigrants?”
Malliotakis said the NYPD routinely sends responses saying the information isn't yet available, and won't be available until Nov. 15, 10 days after the election, when the U.S. border and immigration crisis are top of mind for voters.
“I think the administration is obstructing justice. The public has a right to know,” he said.
“Either they're obstructing us or there are far more crimes committed by immigrants than we can tally up annually. It's ridiculous.”
Adams' press office followed the directions of the NYPD.
“The NYPD is currently working on the FOIL request,” a police department spokesperson said.
Under the city's sanctuary laws, police officers are prohibited or restricted from asking criminal defendants about their immigration status and therefore do not report such information.
A Washington Post report on Monday said immigrants are flooding the criminal justice system, with one Manhattan police officer estimating that “about 75 percent” of arrests in Midtown are of immigrants, mostly for cases including robbery, assault, domestic incidents and selling counterfeit goods.
“We're certainly seeing a number of arrests coming from various groups that are coming in here, particularly groups that may not be able to work,” Deputy Mayor Ann Williams-Isom said at the mayor's press conference on Tuesday.
Being arrested in New York City doesn't mean immigrants can't get into taxpayer-funded shelters, she said.
