An illegal immigrant accused of killing a woman in a brutal subway attack is being protected by New York’s sanctuary policies, preventing federal authorities from taking him into custody. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is condemning city officials for their refusal to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Noem visited the location where the crime took place, calling out Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams for policies that prevent local law enforcement from working with federal immigration officials. She stated that the suspect had been deported under Trump’s administration but later reentered the country and remained in New York due to its sanctuary protections.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reveals New York is PROTECTING the criminal illegal alien who BURNED an American ALIVE on the subway:
"ICE lodged a detainer for this individual that burned this woman alive and the Department of Corrections in this city won’t turn him over." pic.twitter.com/vYgTGQvF69
— Western Decline (@WesternDecline_) March 7, 2025
The suspect, who had been living in the city for over a year, was able to take advantage of resources that provided him with food and shelter. Noem said these policies encourage illegal immigrants with criminal records to stay in New York, knowing they will be shielded from deportation.
ICE lodged a detainer request for the suspect, seeking to take custody of him for deportation, but the New York City Department of Corrections refused to comply. Noem called this a dangerous precedent, arguing that failing to remove violent offenders puts more Americans at risk.
She urged Hochul to sign an executive order reversing sanctuary protections and allowing law enforcement to detain and deport illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds. She also demanded that Adams step up and ensure that public safety comes before political agendas.
Trump has supported legal action against the city and state, warning that sanctuary policies are contributing to rising violent crime while making it harder for ICE to enforce immigration laws.
