A shocking revelation from federal data shows that more than 58,000 illegal migrants convicted of felonies or facing charges in their home country have been allowed into the United States by border officials and have made their way to New York City.
Some of these migrants are currently in jail, funded by taxpayers, for crimes committed in the US, while others are roaming free, perpetuating criminal activities across the five boroughs.
Among these individuals, about 1,000 are associated with organized gangs, using city shelters as their operating bases.
New York City’s sanctuary-city policies serve to shield these criminal migrants from deportation.
It is imperative to put an end to this sanctuary-for-migrants approach and prioritize the safety and sanctuary of New York’s legal residents.
Many individuals associate the term “sanctuary” with offering hospitality to the needy, but in this context, sanctuary specifically refers to preventing local law enforcement from notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when an illegal migrant is arrested.
This policy protects wrongdoers from deportation, enabling them to continue committing crimes.
Recent NYPD crime statistics reveal alarming increases in robberies and felony assaults in Manhattan’s Midtown North area, with a significant portion of arrests for crimes in Midtown being of migrants.
The influx of criminal migrants into New York City is a direct result of the lack of vetting at the border and the Biden administration’s policies that restrict the deportation of certain felons and individuals with serious mental illness.
It is crucial to acknowledge the risks posed by the current lack of vetting for migrants, especially given the large numbers being released into the US without proper background checks.
Despite claims to the contrary, research indicates that illegal migrants are more likely to commit crimes that result in prison sentences compared to legal residents in states like New York, California, New Jersey, and Arizona.
The sheer number of criminal migrants released into New York City should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to reassess sanctuary-city rules.
Mayor Adams has expressed concerns about sanctuary protections but faces challenges due to political dynamics within the City Council.
Implementing emergency measures to suspend sanctuary protection would allow for the deportation of known criminals, enhancing public safety.
A long-term solution will require active participation from city voters to elect officials who prioritize public safety over protecting criminals.
Ensuring a safe city requires civic engagement and a commitment to holding elected officials accountable for their actions.
Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and co-founder of the Committee to Save Our City.
