The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York has publicly released the identities of several undocumented immigrants arrested in recent operations, while also criticizing the "sanctuary city" policies of Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
According to ICE, those arrested hail from Jamaica, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Honduras. Their criminal records include charges such as murder, rape, child sexual assault, forced sexual acts, and other violent crimes.
Kenneth Genalo, Director of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New York, stated that the agency would continue to prioritize apprehending undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records to protect communities.
Cases Identified by ICE
ICE stated that the group currently detained pending immigration and deportation proceedings includes:
Mosiah Wright, a Jamaican national previously deported, convicted of murder in Minnesota.
Jose Fuentes-Saravia, convicted of child sexual assault offenses in Suffolk County.
Vicente Mejia-Marquez, convicted of third-degree rape.
Jose Israel Chapa Flores, convicted of forcible sexual touching and endangering the welfare of a minor.
Blas Alberto Diaz, convicted of sexual intercourse with a person incapable of consent.
Benjamin Quijada, convicted of assault in Queens and also wanted in a juvenile-related case in Maryland.
Franklin Saul Banegas-Cevallos, previously deported and currently facing drug-related charges.
Immigration Policy Controversy
ICE argues that policies restricting cooperation with federal immigration agencies in New York make it more difficult to apprehend and deport individuals with criminal records.
The agency specifically criticized new regulations promoted under Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani, including limitations on cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE in certain situations.
For their part, New York city and state leaders have previously argued that these policies aim to protect immigrant communities from what they consider excessive immigration enforcement, while also encouraging residents to cooperate with law enforcement without fear of their immigration status.
Statistics Released by ICE
ICE stated that from January 20, 2025, to the present, New York has refused to honor thousands of the agency's detainers.
According to data released by ICE:
6,947 undocumented immigrants with criminal records were released instead of being transferred to ICE.
This group included individuals involved in 29 murders, 2,509 assaults, 305 robberies, and 207 sex offenses.
ICE also reported that as of December 1, there were 7,113 individuals held in New York jails and correctional facilities with pending ICE detainers.
