Over 58,000 criminal illegal immigrants are roaming New York City, and nearly 670,000 are present across the entire country, according to a report by the New York Post.
New York City is currently home to 759,218 illegal immigrants, with federal authorities identifying 58,626 of them as having criminal convictions or pending charges as of November 17. This accounts for 7.7 percent of the city’s illegal immigrant population. Among these individuals, 1,053, or 2 percent, are classified as “suspected or known gang members,” according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“These numbers make it clear what everyone but our elected officials already know: sanctuary city laws are endangering New Yorkers by shielding criminals instead of protecting law-abiding citizens,” said City Councilman Robert Holden in response to the data, per the New York Post.
enneth Genalo, head of ICE’s New York office, has previously voiced frustration over sanctuary laws that restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials. Genalo described the situation as overwhelming, saying that if the current policies were to remain in place, "it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have.”
Since the spring of 2022, over 223,000 migrants have entered New York City, with at least 58,000 currently being housed in taxpayer-funded city shelters. Criticism has been leveled at both local and federal officials. Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli condemned the Biden administration’s border policies, saying, “The Democratic Party, top to bottom, is responsible for every single one of these criminals and should be financially responsible to compensate crime victims.”
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s policies have also come under scrutiny. In 2014, de Blasio signed legislation barring the NYPD from assisting federal immigration officers in deporting migrants. He later issued protocols in 2018 to reinforce the city’s sanctuary policies. As a result, the city has become overridden with illegal immigrants, many of whom have engaged in high-profile acts of crime.
Current Mayor Eric Adams has suggested relaxing sanctuary rules for migrants suspected of “serious” crimes but claims he faces resistance within the city council to enact such changes.
"Mayor Adams has repeatedly said that while we will continue to respect our city’s sanctuary laws, we must also have a serious conversation about the small number of individuals who repeatedly commit violent crimes in our city and the consequences they face,” said a spokesperson for Mayor Adams. “We must also fix this nation’s unsuccessful border policies that have led us to this place.”
