“The NYPD has arrested Simoza on five other occasions in 2024, but he was released on his own recognizance before ERO New York City could lodge an immigration detainer,” ICE said.
A New York City custody management unit won’t relinquish an illegal immigrant accused of robbing a Manhattan attorney in DA Alvin Bragg’s office into the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Brandon Jesus Simoza allegedly entered the woman’s apartment complex, masturbated in front of her and fled with several of the attorney’s bank and credit cards as well as her cell phone. Police tracked the migrant back to a hotel that is currently used to house illegals in NYC.
The Rikers Custody Management Unit told the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) Monday that it has no intention of complying with an ICE order to pick up Simoza for deportation, even though the Venezuelan national has been repeatedly arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and has been reportedly linked to international criminal gang Tren de Aragua. He has been cooling his heels at Rikers Island since his Nov. 17 arrest and booking Tuesday.
“Brandon Jesus Simoza Seijas is an unlawfully present citizen of Venezuela who entered the United States without admission, inspection or parole by an immigration official,” an ICE spokesperson told the DCNF. “U.S. Border Patrol encountered Simoza Oct. 18, 2023 in Del Rio, Texas, issued him a notice to appear and released him on his own recognizance.”
Bragg’s office — which is known for its tolerance of illegal immigrants – has not publicly commented on the alleged crime or arrest. Police charged Simoza with sexually motivated robbery and burglary, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to the DCNF.
Although the jurisdiction conflict is between the custody management unit and ICE, the NYPD has consistently released Simoza without delivering him to ICE for deportation. “The NYPD has arrested Simoza on five other occasions in 2024, but he was released on his own recognizance before ERO New York City could lodge an immigration detainer,” an ICE spokesperson told the DCNF.
New York City has insisted that it will remain a sanctuary city and will not cooperate with incoming Border Czar Tom Homan. But Homan has said that the city’s assistance is welcome but not essential. “We’ll do the job with you or without you.”
But even Mayor Eric Adams (D-NYC) has expressed concern that illegal immigrants have a free ride in the city, the DCNF recalled. “I think the previous administration made a big mistake,” Adams said in July, citing the sanctuary city policies of former woke Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I think we need to correct that aspect of it. New Yorkers have a right to be safe in their city. The same way anyone breaks the law or does something violent to New Yorkers, I’m going to voice my concern about that.”
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