by New York City, NY — Nearly 7,000 known illegal migrant criminals have reportedly been released from New York state custody without notifying ICE since President Trump’s administration, federal authorities revealed Monday. The migrants include individuals accused or convicted of murder, sexual offenses, and violent assaults, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The DHS said that all of the migrants were shielded by state and local sanctuary laws, which restrict communication between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons emphasized in a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James 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.”
Examples of Released Migrant Offenders
Some of the released individuals have since been re-arrested by ICE, highlighting the risk posed by sanctuary policies. Cases cited by DHS include:
- Vyacheslav Danilovich Kim, who was convicted in Albany County for traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor. Released on probation in February 2023, he was later detained and deported.
- Steven Daniel Henriquez Galicia, a 25-year-old Dominican national, was arrested in the Bronx for attempted murder but released on cashless bail despite the DA requesting a $300,000 bond. ICE picked him up on Sept. 20, 2025.
- Anderson Smith Satuye Martinez, 21, a Honduran national and gang member, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and controlled substance offenses. Despite an ICE detainer, he was released on cashless bail and later taken into federal custody on Sept. 11, 2025.
ICE Demands State Cooperation
ICE is now requesting that New York turn over 7,113 illegal migrants currently in state jails and prisons with active detainers so they can be deported. According to federal authorities, these individuals are collectively responsible for:
- 148 homicides
- 717 assaults
- 134 burglaries
- 106 robberies
- 235 dangerous drug offenses
- 152 weapons offenses
- 260 sexual predatory offenses
Lyons stated that these individuals not only reside in the U.S. illegally but have also committed serious additional crimes, including murder, rape, child exploitation, armed robbery, and other violent acts.
Sanctuary Laws and Their Limits
New York’s sanctuary policies limit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. A 2017 executive order by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo prohibited state officers from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws.
However, in 2025 testimony before the House Oversight Committee, Governor Kathy Hochul clarified that the state can and will cooperate under certain circumstances, such as:
- Active criminal investigations
- Convictions for New York State crimes
- Suspected involvement in immigration violations, gang activity, or international drug trafficking
In New York City, more restrictive sanctuary rules prevent the NYPD and Department of Correction from honoring ICE detainers except when individuals are convicted of violent crimes, appear on federal terror watch lists, or when federal warrants are issued.
What is your view on New York’s sanctuary policies and the release of illegal migrant criminals? Share your thoughts in the comments below — your opinion can help shape community discussion.
