New York authorities have refused more than 16,000 federal immigration detainer requests involving illegal immigrants accused or convicted of crimes, including homicide, kidnapping and sexual offenses, according to newly released Department of Homeland Security data.
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The figures, reported Monday by the New York Post, show that municipalities across the Democrat-led state have declined to honor 16,070 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025.
According to DHS, the individuals associated with those requests have accumulated 52,503 criminal charges or convictions, including 131 homicides, 132 kidnappings and 1,017 sexual offenses.
The figures have renewed scrutiny of New York’s sanctuary policies, which restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
ICE detainers request that local authorities temporarily hold individuals suspected of immigration violations so federal agents can take them into custody. Sanctuary jurisdictions frequently decline those requests unless specific legal conditions are met.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for policies he said undermine federal immigration enforcement and threaten public safety.
“We enforce these laws with no help from Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul,” Mullin told the New York Post.
“While sanctuary politicians continue to release dangerous criminals onto their streets, our brave law enforcement officers will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make America safe again. Illegal aliens have no sanctuary in America,” he added.
Hochul’s office rejected the suggestion that New York protects violent offenders from federal immigration authorities.
“Governor Hochul has been clear: New York State is not and never will be a sanctuary for violent criminals. By law, New York State always notifies federal immigration enforcement of any non-citizen serving a State prison sentence,” her office told the newspaper.
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