The Department of Homeland Security has sent a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James demanding the transfer of more than 7,000 illegal migrants currently held in jails and prisons across the state, according to federal officials.
In the letter, Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said nearly 7,000 illegal migrants with active ICE detainers have been released back into New York since January, while another 7,113 individuals with detainers remain in state custody. Federal officials stated that these detainers are associated with a broad range of alleged criminal offenses.
“These are people who are not only in the country illegally, but who have committed additional crimes, including heinous crimes like murder, rape, possession of child pornography, armed robbery, and many others,” Lyons wrote.
According to DHS, the 7,113 individuals with active detainers are connected to a combined 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drug offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses. Federal officials said New York’s sanctuary laws—which restrict cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agents—have prevented ICE from taking custody of many individuals who would otherwise be transferred for removal proceedings.
Lyons wrote that “virtually all Americans agree that people like this should be swiftly removed from the United States when they leave New York’s custody and not be returned to our streets to wreak havoc on law abiding citizens.”
DHS said a similar letter was sent to the attorney general’s office in September and went unanswered.
The department is seeking immediate cooperation to take custody of individuals with active detainers once they are released from state facilities. Letitia James’ office has not publicly responded to the latest request.
