Since January 20, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that nearly 7,000 individuals described as criminal illegal aliens have been released from New York City custody due to the state's decision not to honor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers. DHS states that those released include people convicted of serious crimes such as murder, sexual offenses, and violent assaults.
DHS has criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for signing an executive order designating the city as a sanctuary for individuals in this category. The department argues that this action may increase public safety risks by allowing offenders to reenter communities without ICE intervention.
ICE partnerships with local law enforcement are cited by DHS as important for removing dangerous individuals—including murderers, rapists, gang members, and terrorists—from American communities. According to DHS, seven out of the ten safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE.
The recent executive order from Mayor Mamdani follows a legislative proposal by Governor Kathy Hochul intended to prevent local police departments from working with ICE officers.
According to DHS data, there are currently 7,113 individuals with active ICE detainers held in various jurisdictions across New York state. These detainees have reportedly committed crimes including 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 drug-related offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses.
“Mamdani will make New Yorkers less safe as a direct result of this policy. There are currently 7,113 criminal illegal aliens in the custody of a New York jurisdiction with an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drugs offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Secretary Noem and ICE leadership are urgently calling on Mamdani to agree to release criminals in New York City’s custody to ICE before they are released back onto the Big Apple’s streets to victimize and prey on more Americans. 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.”
DHS provided examples of individuals arrested by ICE in New York City who had been convicted of serious crimes but could be affected by the new policy. These cases included convictions for sexual assault, rape involving force or minors, homicide, assault linked to gang activity or larceny.
New York's policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities remain under debate amid concerns about public safety and law enforcement practices.
