7,000 criminal illegal immigrants released from New York jails despite ICE detainers: DHS

Federal officials say New York’s sanctuary policies are allowing violent offenders, including suspects tied to dozens of homicides, to walk free despite active ICE detainers requesting they be transferred for deportation. DHS released new information this week outlining a series of cases they say show how dangerous individuals were released back onto city streets.

DHS said that nearly 7,000 criminal migrants were released from New York jails over the past year, even though federal authorities had already filed detainer requests. Local jails and courts, operating under state and city sanctuary rules, limit cooperation with ICE, often resulting in offenders being released without notice, reports the New York Post.

One case by the agency involves Cuban national Jose Antonio Andreo-Quezada, a convicted killer with a long criminal record that includes homicide, burglary, drugs, assault, trespassing and possession of stolen property. He was released from Rikers Island before being picked up again on a parole violation. ICE lodged a detainer on Aug. 16.

Another is Dominican national Anastacio Tejada Almonte, whose charges include homicide, assault, weapons possession and flight to avoid prosecution. DHS said he was released by New York’s Department of Corrections on July 27 despite an ICE request filed months earlier.

DHS also pointed to the case of Honduran national Alex Jareth Martinez-Avila. Authorities say he was let go by Queens central booking even though ICE submitted a detainer in May. He was later re-arrested on homicide and robbery charges, and ICE issued a new detainer on Sept. 22

The pattern continues across multiple jurisdictions. Venezuelan national Hector De Sousa-Villalta, charged with homicide, weapon possession and drug offenses, was released from Rikers despite an ICE request. Ecuadorian citizen Luis Franklin Tenesaca-Palchizaca was also freed after his Aug. 27 detainer was ignored. He was arrested again weeks later for homicide.

ICE officials said they have had to take on the bulk of enforcement themselves because local agencies refuse cooperation, forcing federal officers to locate and arrest offenders who, in some cases, reenter the country repeatedly. DHS cited one example, Jesus Romero-Hernandez, who had been deported seven times before attacking a police officer in Ithaca with a machete. ICE removed him again last month for the eighth time.

 

Homeland Security officials said these cases reflect a growing problem inside New York’s justice system, where repeat offenders remain at large despite federal efforts to detain and deport them.