URGENT UPDATE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is demanding New York authorities surrender over 7,000 criminal migrants released without warning, including violent offenders, following the return of Donald Trump to the White House. This shocking revelation emerged as the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the release of these dangerous individuals, triggering immediate backlash and renewed protests across the state.
Federal officials revealed that since January 20, 2025, nearly 7,000 criminal illegal migrants were set free by New York, many of whom have histories of serious crimes like murder, rape, and armed robbery. The acting ICE Director, Todd Lyons, warned New York Attorney General Letitia James that these releases pose a significant risk to public safety. Federal sources confirmed that a staggering 7,113 additional migrants remain in custody with active ICE detainers.
In a letter to James, Lyons emphasized, “Virtually all Americans agree that people like this should be swiftly removed from the United States when they leave New York’s custody.” This urgent demand follows violent protests in Downtown Manhattan over ICE operations, where demonstrators attempted to block agents from conducting raids.
Among the offenders released was Anderson Smith Satuye Martinez, a gang member apprehended for weapon possession. He was later detained by ICE and deported after being released back into the community. The ICE letter highlighted that those freed are linked to 148 homicides, 717 assaults, and numerous other violent crimes.
The protests against ICE’s presence intensified over the weekend, with over 150 demonstrators clashing with law enforcement during a raid. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as protesters blocked streets and confronted NYPD officers trying to enforce the operation. As tensions boiled over, police utilized pepper spray to disperse the crowds.
“Criminal illegal aliens should not be released back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, condemning New York’s sanctuary policies.
New York’s sanctuary laws currently prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agents, complicating ICE’s efforts to detain and deport those with criminal histories. The city has faced increasing scrutiny as violent crime rates rise, with residents expressing fears over public safety amid the releases.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Attorney General Letitia James, who faces pressure to respond to federal demands regarding the remaining migrants in custody. The DHS has made it clear that failure to comply will lead to continued tensions between state and federal authorities.
The upcoming days will be critical as New York prepares for potential further ICE operations and ongoing protests. With public safety at stake, residents and officials alike are watching closely to see how this urgent matter will be addressed.
As the Department of Homeland Security reported earlier this year, over 527,000 illegal migrants have been deported, with expectations that this number will reach 600,000 by year-end. The Biden administration aims for a million immigration-related arrests in 2025, but ICE struggles to meet these ambitious targets amid rising tensions.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and reactions from both the federal and state officials continue to unfold.
