Jefferson Maldenado, a 31-year-old migrant from Ecuador, has been arrested in New York City five times since arriving in the US earlier this year. His most recent arrest was for stealing a pair of pants and a beer from a Target store near Herald Square. When asked why he committed the crime, Maldenado stated, “I wanted to change my clothes and think. I wanted to sit down and think about my life, about what to do. Because this is not a normal world.”
In a Manhattan courtroom, Maldenado was one of five migrants arraigned for various offenses. Police sources revealed that as many as 75% of the individuals they have arrested in Midtown Manhattan for crimes like assault, robbery, and domestic violence are migrants. In Queens, this figure is estimated to be over 60%.
Sanctuary city laws in New York prevent law enforcement from collaborating with ICE on cases involving suspects believed to be in the country illegally. This, combined with the inability to track the immigration status of offenders, has created challenges for addressing the issue. The lack of coordination has allowed migrants to quickly return to the streets due to lax bail guidelines.
City officials have acknowledged the need for changes to the sanctuary city laws, but the situation remains complex. Police officers and court workers who witness the problem firsthand estimate that a significant portion of arrests in Midtown Manhattan involve migrants, particularly for offenses like robbery and assault.
In addition to petty thefts and domestic incidents, more serious crimes involving migrants have been reported, including gang violence and sexual assaults. Instances like the sexual abuse allegations against Venezuelan migrant Yurlex Daniel Guzman Quintero and the rape charges against Dionisio Moran Flores highlight the severity of some cases.
The presence of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua in NYC has further escalated concerns, with the gang being linked to numerous crimes, including the shooting of NYPD officers. The gang has reportedly smuggled guns into city-run shelters, posing a significant threat to public safety.
According to a law enforcement source, the majority of individuals arrested are professionals with a history of criminal activity. The source blames the Biden-Harris administration’s lenient border policies and sanctuary city laws for exacerbating the issue.
The source expressed frustration over the lack of a border wall to monitor entries into the country and deport individuals who commit crimes. This lax approach has led to repeat offenders who are quickly released back onto the streets.
A Bronx police officer noted that many migrants arrested in the city have a nonchalant attitude towards being apprehended, as they come from places where jail conditions are far worse. While the exact timing of their entry into the country is uncertain, approximately 64,000 migrants are currently in the city’s social service system.
In Queens, a significant portion of arrests in Jackson Heights involve migrants committing offenses such as robbery, grand larceny, and assault. The proliferation of vendors along Roosevelt Ave. and 91st Street has created an open-air bazaar reminiscent of scenes from ‘Casablanca.’
Elmhurst, particularly along Roosevelt Avenue, has experienced a notable increase in crime, much of it attributed to migrant-related incidents. This surge in criminal activity has made the area one of the city’s hotspots for lawlessness.
Residents and business owners in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst have voiced concerns over the deteriorating safety and quality of life in their neighborhoods. The rise in criminal activities, including an increase in prostitution, has made locals wary of frequenting certain establishments.
City PBA President Patrick Hendry criticized the justice system for failing to hold criminals accountable and protect New Yorkers. He emphasized the need for a tougher stance against lawbreakers to ensure public safety.
Some migrants, like Maldenado and Juan Bernalrodriguez, have resorted to criminal activities due to the perceived difficulties of pursuing the American Dream. Despite receiving assistance in city shelters, they have encountered issues such as theft and lack of support.
Requests for comments from the District Attorneys offices of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx went unanswered.
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