ICE Director voices frustration as NYC shelters nearly 60,000 criminal migrants

New York City is currently grappling with a significant challenge involving close to 60,000 illegal immigrants who either have criminal records or are facing legal charges.

This concerning statistic has drawn attention from the head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in the city, who disclosed that sanctuary city laws are complicating deportation efforts. In fact, these criminal immigrants represent approximately 7.7% of the total 759,218 undocumented individuals residing in the Big Apple, as per recent ICE data.

Out of this figure, over 1,000 individuals are identified as “suspected or known gang members.” Kenneth Genalo, the ICE New York City office director, openly shared his frustrations regarding these local laws that inhibit the deportation process, stating that they primarily protect criminals.

He emphasized the impact on vulnerable members of the community, particularly migrant women and children, who are often victims of the crimes committed by these individuals.

Genalo elaborated that unless policies change, clearing the city of criminal immigrants could take a substantial amount of time, effectively saying it could take “a lifetime.”

Back in 2014, measures taken by then-mayor Bill de Blasio aimed to limit the city’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, a trend that was reinforced in 2018.

Current Mayor Eric Adams has conveyed a desire for reforming these laws to enhance collaboration between local and federal authorities. However, he has also expressed reservations about the large-scale deportations proposed by the incoming Trump administration.

During a recent press conference, Adams stressed the importance of the city’s sanctuary status, asserting the need for safe spaces where individuals can access education and healthcare without fear of deportation.

He further encouraged victims of crimes to come forward freely, stating, “I don’t want to go to the days where people are going to hide in the shadows.” As the discussion on immigration intensifies, illegal immigrant gang activity has also emerged as a pressing issue across the United States.

One notable gang, Tren de Aragua, has garnered attention, with reported operations extending from New York to other states like Colorado and Texas.

This gang was highlighted recently due to alarming footage showing armed members taking control of an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado.

While reports surrounding the gang have led to some panic, local police clarified that many claims may have been exaggerated. However, as recently as September, authorities confirmed they were investigating 10 suspected members connected to a string of crimes.

Intelligence from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation indicates that Tren de Aragua is particularly involved in human trafficking operations, which began gaining attention as early as 2023.

In Georgia, public outcry has also arisen following the tragic murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant named Jose Ibarra, who entered the country illegally in 2022. Republican lawmakers have attributed Riley’s death to the current immigration policies and lack of adequate border security under the Biden administration.

Ibarra was recently sentenced to life in prison without parole after he waived his right to a jury trial.

In a heartfelt victim statement, Riley’s mother described her daughter as a “child of God.”