New York Police Department says that up to 75% of the arrests in Midtown Manhattan in recent months for crimes such as assault, robbery, and domestic violence are illegal immigrants.
In parts of Queens, the estimate is over 60%. Sanctuary city laws, which prevent New York police from coordinating with ICE on cases involving illegal immigration, and bar the NYPD from tracking the immigration status of offenders, complicate efforts to address the issue.
Jefferson Maldonado, a 31-year-old migrant from Ecuador, has been arrested five times in New York City since his arrival in the U.S. earlier this year. When asked about the reason behind his recent theft, Maldonado explained, “I wanted to change my clothes and think. I wanted to sit down and think about my life, about what to do. Because this is not a normal world.”
While overall crime in New York City is reportedly down compared to last year, the NYPD states that it cannot track data related to the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses, or suspects due to current regulations. This means the extent of the problem is mainly known by police officers and court workers who see it firsthand.
Law enforcement sources argue that the situation is exacerbated by the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies and New York City’s sanctuary city laws. One source remarked, “Crime would be down significantly if there was a wall and we could account for everyone who comes into the country. And more importantly, throw them out if they commit a crime.”
Jim Quinn, a former prosecutor from the Queens District Attorney’s office, criticized the sanctuary city laws, saying, “New York City eliminated a tool to get rid of violent criminals. What a mess. The sanctuary city law is pathetic. It’s disgusting. It’s crazy.”
Some migrants arrested multiple times have expressed frustration with their experience in the U.S. Maldonado, the migrant arrested for stealing from Target, said, “I walked through the woods. I kept on walking — walking to get to the American Dream. They tell you about the American Dream. But when I got here, I saw that it was not like they said. It’s not easy here. It’s no bed of roses.”