UPDATE: New York has released nearly 7,000 criminal migrants back into communities without notifying federal authorities, sparking outrage from ICE and raising public safety concerns. This alarming development comes just days after Donald Trump returned to the White House and was revealed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on December 2, 2025.
The release includes dangerous offenders such as rapists and murderers who were granted bail, parole, or simply let go. Federal officials are now demanding that New York Attorney General Letitia James surrender 7,113 additional migrants still in custody with active ICE detainers. The urgency of this situation escalates as protests against ICE operations have erupted across the state, with demonstrations turning violent in Downtown Manhattan over the weekend.
In a letter sent to James, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons warned that these individuals pose a serious threat to public safety. “These are people who not only are in the country illegally but have committed heinous crimes,” Lyons stated, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. The letter highlighted that the released migrants are responsible for 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 260 sexual offenses, and other violent crimes.
Among those released was notorious Crips gang member Anderson Smith Satuye Martinez, who was arrested for weapon possession but was released despite having an ICE detainer. After his release, he was apprehended by ICE agents in the Bronx and subsequently deported.
Demonstrations against ICE’s presence have intensified, with more than 150 protesters attempting to obstruct a raid in Manhattan, leading to clashes with NYPD. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as activists lined streets with barricades in an effort to protect illegal immigrants from being detained.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized New York’s sanctuary laws that hinder cooperation with federal agents, stating, “We are calling on Letitia James to stop this dangerous derangement.” She urged the state to honor ICE detainers to prevent further risk to the public.
The national context deepens as the Biden administration aims for significant immigration enforcement, with a goal of one million arrests in 2025. The current situation in New York highlights a growing divide between state and federal policies, raising critical questions about public safety and immigration reform.
As tensions mount, all eyes are on Attorney General James and New York officials to see how they will respond to ICE’s demands. The implications of this situation resonate deeply with New Yorkers and could impact future state-federal relations.
