The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a statement opposing Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed legislation that would prevent local police departments in New York from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS officials argue that such partnerships are important for removing individuals convicted of serious crimes from communities.
According to DHS, since January 20, New York’s decision not to honor ICE detainers has led to the release of nearly 7,000 individuals described as criminal illegal aliens. The department reports these released individuals have been convicted of offenses including homicide, assault, burglary, robbery, drug-related crimes, weapons violations, and sexual predatory offenses.
Currently, there are over 7,100 people in the custody of New York jurisdictions who have active ICE detainers against them. Their convictions include homicides, assaults, burglaries, robberies, drug offenses, weapons violations and sexual predatory acts.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “Governor Hochul would make New Yorkers less safe as a direct result of this policy. When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities. 7 of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE. Instead of working with us, Governor Hochul is choosing to RELEASE violent criminals from her jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims. We are calling on Governor Hochul to commit to turning these more than 7,000 heinous criminals over to ICE.”
DHS also highlighted several cases involving individuals previously arrested by ICE in New York who were convicted for serious crimes such as homicide and rape.
The department maintains that cooperation between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement helps address public safety concerns by facilitating the removal of those convicted for violent or dangerous crimes.
