58,000 illegal aliens with criminal records reside in major sanctuary city: ICE



New York City is home to nearly 60,000 illegal aliens who either have felony convictions or are facing criminal charges, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data through November 17.

The data, obtained by the New York Post, revealed that of the 759,218 illegal immigrants residing in the sanctuary city, 58,626 have been previously convicted of a crime or face pending charges, which accounts for 7.7% of New York City's illegal alien population.

'They need to stop using New Yorkers' hard-earned tax dollars to shield criminals wreaking havoc on our streets.'

Additionally, of those 58,626 individuals, 1,153 are reportedly "suspected or known gang members."

More than 223,000 immigrants have arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022, and roughly 58,000 continue to rely on taxpayer-funded shelters.

ICE data through July 21 further divulged that of the nearly 7.8 million illegal aliens in the United States, 662,586, or 8.6%, are convicted criminals or face pending charges. The agency reportedly did not provide information detailing how many of those individuals are tied to gangs.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) responded to the report by attributing the situation to President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders' lenient crime policies and open-border stance, according to the Post.

Malliotakis told the news outlet, "It's shocking that Democrats have gone so far out of their way to harbor gang members, drug traffickers and other criminals who are in our country illegally."

"In many cases, they've provided them with housing, food, and health care," she continued. "They need to stop using New Yorkers' hard-earned tax dollars to shield criminals wreaking havoc on our streets and instead cooperate with ICE to have them deported."

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) indicated to the Post that he would cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump's administration to remove criminal illegal immigrants from the city.

"I support the deportation of criminals and will work with the incoming administration to accomplish that goal. We must also secure the border, fix the broken asylum system and modernize the legal immigration system," Suozzi said.

New York City council member Robert Holden, a Democrat, has previously voiced his support for ending the city's current sanctuary policies that shield criminals from ICE agents.

In November, he sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams (D), Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), and other city and state leaders urging them to reconsider their support of the city's sanctuary status.

In response to ICE's latest data, Holden told the Post, "These numbers make it clear what everyone but our elected officials already know: Sanctuary city laws are endangering New Yorkers by shielding criminals instead of protecting law-abiding citizens."

In an unexpected shift, Hochul last week pledged to be "the first to call ICE" on criminal illegal aliens.

A spokesperson for Adams' office told the Post, "Mayor Adams has repeatedly said that while we will continue to respect our city's sanctuary laws, we must also have a serious conversation about the small number of individuals who repeatedly commit violent crimes in our city and the consequences they face."

"We must also fix this nation's unsuccessful border policies that have led us to this place," the spokesperson added.

Kenneth Genalo, the director of ICE's New York City field office, has warned that deporting the city's criminal illegal aliens would "take a lifetime."

He told the Post that such an effort would require "additional resources" for his office, which investigates thousands of cases daily.

"The fact is that I have to focus all of my resources on the worst of the worst, the most egregious violators. All I can tell you is we have leads that we work every day — and it's not in the hundreds," Genalo explained.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Gov. Hochul suddenly eager to help deport criminal illegal aliens — but wants to keep other migrants in New York



Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York suddenly seems eager to help deport criminal illegal aliens under a second Trump administration but wants to help other migrants in her state stay put.

On Tuesday, Hochul held a press conference in Queens, where she was asked about the deportations President-elect Donald Trump has promised to conduct after taking office next month. In her response, Hochul pledged to be "the first to call ICE" on illegal aliens who commit other crimes.

"If someone breaks the law, I’ll be the first one to call up ICE and say, 'Get them out of here,'" she said.

"There are other people who commit crimes or are known to be criminals before they arrived here. When those are identified, I'll be the first one to help get rid of them," Hochul added. "I don't want them here. I don't want anybody terrorizing my citizens."

Assembly member Catalina Cruz ... a 'formerly undocumented' immigrant, rushed to Hochul's defense, insisting that Hochul really is a friend to illegal immigrants — or, as Cruz called them, 'law-abiding undocumented Americans.'

Though she spoke emphatically about the need to deport illegal aliens who broke the law to steal into the U.S. and then went on to commit other crimes, she switched to a more conciliatory tone when discussing other migrant groups living in New York. She noted the "difference in categories of individuals" and expressed interest in helping those granted Temporary Protected Status and those "with legal papers, like they came and they’re seeking asylum."

"I want them to get the proper work permits. I want them to keep their temporary protective status if that’s what they have. I want to make sure that they’re part of — contributing to society while they’re here," she explained, according to the National News Desk. "That’s separate from people who are criminals."

"Those who come here legally — we want to get them jobs. I have 460,000 open jobs in the State of New York."

Many New York activists and Democrats were shocked by Hochul's rhetoric regarding illegal immigrants.

Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, begged Hochul not to assist with Trump's "dangerous games." "Now more than ever we need leadership from Albany," he said. "We need New York’s elected officials to stand up for and defend all of our immigrant neighbors."

Assembly member Catalina Cruz, whom City & State New York described as a "formerly undocumented" immigrant, rushed to Hochul's defense, insisting that Hochul really is a friend to illegal immigrants — or, as Cruz called them, "law-abiding undocumented Americans."

"Given the work my office has done with this administration, I have no doubt that these statements lacked context and dimension," Cruz said in Hochul's defense. "I know that she will remain dedicated to advancing the goal of assisting those individuals and families that have come to New York with hopes and dreams of a better life for themselves and their families."

In the last several years, some 200,000 so-called "asylum-seekers" have moved to New York, and City & State New York reported that as of July, as many as 875,000 total "unauthorized" persons may be living there.

Citing the Institution on Taxation and Economic Policy, City & State New York claimed that the "undocumented" immigrants living in New York are "contributing to the state’s economy." However, the outlet made no mention of the billions of taxpayer dollars spent on housing and feeding them.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Democratic lawmaker proposes northern states join Canada because she can't handle Trump win



Following in the footsteps of 19th century Democratic secessionists, New York state Sen. Liz Krueger (D) has raised the possibility of blue states breaking away from the Union for ideological reasons.

Krueger, a Manhattan pro-abortion activist who runs New York's Senate Finance Committee, recently told Politico, "It is not unreasonable to think outside of the box."

Krueger, like other New York radicals, is concerned that the incoming Trump administration will make good on its campaign promises, including the successful enforcement of American immigration law in her state — deporting criminal noncitizens and alleviating the strain they have placed on taxpayer-funded citizen resources.

In September, Krueger told City & State New York that were Trump to win the election, she "would suggest to Canada that instead of us all trying to illegally cross the border at night without them noticing, which is pretty hard because there's a lot of us, that they should instead agree to let us be the southeast province, a new province of Canada."

"I offered, even though I hadn't gotten agreement from other states yet, that I thought New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, would combine and be a great new province as the southeast province of Canada," said Krueger. "Basically everybody in these states are progressive Democrats."

'We would fit in pretty well.'

Apparently, the Democrat who swore an oath to "support the Constitution of the United States" would be more than happy to trade the U.S. Constitution for Canada's highly flexible Charter of Rights and Freedoms and sell out millions of proud Americans.

Trump secured 44.1% (3,484,124) of the votes in New York; 41.9% (739,317) of the votes in Connecticut; 36.5% (1,234,961) of the votes in Massachusetts; and 32.6% (119,393) of the votes in Vermont.

"We would fit in pretty well with the political philosophy of at least most of the Canadian elected officials," said Krueger.

The Democratic lawmaker is apparently unaware that Pierre Poilievre, the populist leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is poised to crush Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party and the socialist New Democrat Party in the upcoming election. The Conservative Party has outperformed both of the Canadian leftist parties combined in recent polls.

"I propose that this could be an option, and I got back some unofficial responses and heard this is probably sellable in Ottawa," added Krueger.

If the northern incorporation doesn't fly, then the Democratic lawmaker apparently has another unworkable alternative: withhold over $300 billion in federal taxes in order to hamstring the Trump administration.

Even Politico admitting that it's unclear how Krueger's tax-withholding plan might be accomplished, especially when a reactive cut in federal aid would greatly handicap New York.

The Office of the New York State Comptroller indicated in April that in recent years, New York has repeatedly received more from Washington, D.C., than it has paid in federal taxes. In fiscal year 2022, for instance, the state generated $361.8 billion in federal taxes and benefited from $383 billion in federal spending.

When it comes to secession and withholding taxes, Krueger is once again betting on losers.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Manhattan DA Bragg faces new commonsense challenger who plans to actually prosecute criminals



Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is facing a new commonsense challenger who is running on a pledge to make the streets of New York City safe by prosecuting criminals once again.

Maud Maron, a former Legal Aid attorney, is seeking to remove Bragg from office in his re-election bid next year.

'Most of us can remember living in a much safer city, and we want that city back.'

Two years ago, Maron ran for Congress as a Democrat but did not win her race. After her campaign, she switched her registration to independent and then, in October 2023, registered as a Republican, the New York Post reported.

During her time as a member of District 2's Community Education Council, Maron has spoken out against "gender ideology indoctrination" and boys competing in girls' sports.

Maron believes that New Yorkers on both sides of the political aisle are fed up with Bragg's soft-on-crime policies that have jeopardized public safety.

She pledged to prosecute criminals regardless of an individual's race, religion, or immigration status and repeal Bragg's "Day One memo," which instructed his staff not to prosecute certain crimes, including resisting arrest. The memo also directed prosecutors to treat some major felonies as misdemeanors.

Maron told Blaze News, "Just over the past few days, there were three stabbings across Manhattan. As a criminal defense lawyer, I advocated for my clients, and Manhattan needs an advocate now more than ever. Our communities need someone who will fight for everyone. From school children to seniors and underserved communities to small-business owners, all of us deserve a safe and prosperous New York City. Most of us can remember living in a much safer city, and we want that city back."

She vowed to establish a special unit that would work in collaboration with the New York Police Department to tackle homeless issues and ensure the removal of violent individuals who are emotionally disturbed from the streets.

Maron intends to fully leverage the mental health resources at the DA office's disposal and establish a special unit for the New York City Housing Authority. Additionally, her plans include the recruitment of more racket investigators and detective investigators.

Maron also hopes to work with the state to repeal or rework the cashless bail reform and "raise the age" law.

This week, Maron appeared on "Fox & Friends First" to discuss her upcoming campaign.

"I think, at this point, it's really not about party; it's about who has the best policies and who has the best ideas and who can really say, 'We will prioritize keeping New Yorkers safe,'" she stated.

Maron noted that the city has experienced a 30% uptick in crime since 2019.

"That's notwithstanding the fact that some people are so fed up with the response that they get that they don't even call in crimes," Maron continued. "You're not going to call the police because you know Alvin Bragg isn't going to prosecute that case."

She stressed that her message to voters is simple: We need to prosecute crime.

"We need to support the law enforcement that we have in the city to do the job they can do, and we need to build a society where you can walk into a pharmacy and pick something off the shelf because our rules are designed to protect the law-abiders, not the lawbreakers," Maron added.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

NYC Dem breaks with party to call for end to sanctuary policies 'shielding' criminal illegal aliens



New York City council member Robert Holden (D) is encouraging his fellow Democratic peers to support the termination of the city's existing sanctuary policies that are "shielding" criminal illegal aliens from federal immigration officials.

On Wednesday, Holden sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams (D), Governor Kathy Hochul (D), and other city and state legislative leaders, urging them to reconsider their support of sanctuary policies prohibiting local law enforcement officers from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

'The president actually could say to the governor and to the mayor, "Cooperate with us, or we're going to charge you with felonies."'

"I write with grave concern about the continued impact of New York's sanctuary state and city policies, which not only violate [federal law] but also put New Yorkers in harm's way," Holden stated. "Federal statute explicitly prohibits the harboring, shielding, or concealing of illegal aliens, particularly those engaged in criminal activities."

On Monday, Holden appeared on "Fox & Friends," where he applauded President-elect Donald Trump's incoming border czar, Tom Homan, for his recent warnings to political leaders who attempt to hinder ICE's deportation efforts.

Holden told Fox News, "I love Tom Homan, the new border czar, who came last week on Fox and said, 'We're going to hold these mayors and governors accountable.'"

He explained that some Democratic leaders are violating the law by using sanctuary policies to block federal immigration officials.

"It's a felony," Holden said. "We're like shielding [illegal immigrants]. The governors, the Democratic governors, and the mayors of these sanctuary cities are shielding criminals and terrorists."

He expressed national security concerns about local law enforcement agents being prohibited from communicating with their federal counterparts. Holden called it "unbelievable" that his fellow Democratic council members want to keep criminals and terrorists in the country.

Kenneth Genalo, the director of ICE's New York City's field office, stated on Friday that "it would take a lifetime" to deport the criminal illegal aliens currently residing in the city.

Adams has also expressed interest in rolling back the city's sanctuary status, claiming that his hands are tied unless city council members vote to repeal some of the policies.

When asked what Adams could be doing to help get criminal illegal aliens off New York City's streets, Holden told Fox News that he could petition Hochul and call on the city council to negotiate amendments to the policies.

"I'm looking to President Trump," Holden continued. "I think President Trump could say, 'You know what, if you're going to violate the laws, … it's a felony to shield and harbor illegal aliens who have committed crimes.'"

"The president actually could say to the governor and to the mayor, 'Cooperate with us, or we're going to charge you with felonies,'" he added.

He mentioned that Homan had previously warned that local leaders could face federal charges for harboring illegal immigrants.

Last week, Homan told Fox News, "Those people who say they're going to stop us from what we're doing, they will not."

"Let me give you a word of advice: If you impede us, there's going to be consequences," he continued. "It is a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Deporting criminal illegal aliens from sanctuary city will 'take a lifetime,' warns NYC ICE director



Kenneth Genalo, the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's New York City field office, warned that "it would take a lifetime" to deport the criminal illegal aliens currently residing in the city.

Since the spring of 2022, over 223,000 immigrants have arrived in New York City.

'The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against ... migrant females and the migrant children.'

On Friday, Genalo told the New York Post that his regional ICE office requires "additional resources" to handle the ongoing immigration crisis.

He stated that "it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have," given New York City's current trajectory.

Genalo suggested that his field office, which includes 400 workers, is investigating thousands of cases per day.

"The fact is that I have to focus all of my resources on the worst of the worst, the most egregious violators. All I can tell you is we have leads that we work every day — and it's not in the hundreds," Genalo told the Post.

He noted that New York City's sanctuary policies are hindering ICE from detaining and deporting criminal illegal aliens.

Genalo expressed interest in testifying before the city council to "educate" far-left members on the dangers of the city's current policies.

"The only people they're shielding are the criminals, and they're shielding the criminals from us," he told the Post.

"The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against the most vulnerable people in the community, and that's the migrant females and the migrant children. I don't understand how they believe sanctuary policies are helping or assisting," Genalo explained.

According to ICE data, through July 21, of the roughly 7.8 million illegal aliens in the country, more than 660,000 are convicted felons or are facing pending criminal charges.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has also previously called on the city council to roll back sanctuary policies.

"The mayor knows we need to cooperate," Genalo told the news outlet. "He sees what's going on in New York City, and he wants help from the federal government."

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) slammed the Biden administration after its Customs and Border Protection announced on Tuesday that it would be reducing office hours at many ports of entry, including four along New York's northern border.

Hochul said, "While the Biden-Harris Administration has achieved measurable success in enhancing southern border security, New York is experiencing a dramatic increase in irregular crossings along our northern border."

"We need to expand enforcement at the northern border today, and I call on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reverse this decision," she added.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Judge to consider tossing Trump's New York criminal charges



New York Judge Juan Merchan has once again decided to postpone sentencing in President-elect Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal case, in which he was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

On Friday, Merchan granted a request from Trump's attorney to file a motion to dismiss the case, further pushing back the potential sentencing date, originally slated for July.

Merchan will 'seriously entertain throwing the whole case out.'

Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, sent a letter to Merchan on Wednesday requesting to file a motion to dismiss the case.

Blanche called Trump's election win "a mandate that supersedes the political motivations of DANY's 'People,'" referring to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

"This case must be immediately dismissed," he demanded.

Blanche argued that the potential continuation of the case would be "uniquely destabilizing" for the country.

Earlier this week, Bragg agreed with the defense's request to stay the case but noted that he would oppose a motion to dismiss.

Merchan declared that the motion for dismissal and the prosecution's response are due in early December.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump and the incoming White House communication director, told Fox News Digital that the judge's latest announcement marked a "decisive win" for the president-elect.

"In a decisive win for President Trump, the hoax Manhattan case is now fully stayed and sentencing is adjourned," Cheung told the news outlet. "President Trump won a landslide victory, as the American people have issued a mandate to return him to office and dispose of all remnants of the Witch Hunt cases."

"All of the sham lawfare attacks against President Trump are now destroyed, and we are focused on Making America Great Again," he declared.

In response to Merchan's agreement to consider Blanche's request for dismissal, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk wrote on X, "The legal assault against President Trump is dying a slow, painful, and embarrassing death."

Senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano told Newsmax that Merchan's move indicated that he will "seriously entertain throwing the whole case out."

Napolitano explained that Merchan may toss the convictions based on two potential reasons: "Either because some of the evidence that he permitted the jury to hear was immunized by the [United States] Supreme Court after the case came down … or because Donald Trump is about to become president of the United States and he shouldn't have this interfering with his administration of the executive branch of the federal government."

He predicted that the courtroom "will be absolutely packed" when Merchan holds the oral argument for dismissal.

Napolitano noted that under New York State law, Trump is not convicted unless the sentencing is completed.

The other three criminal cases against Trump are also falling apart. Special counsel Jack Smith, who has led the two federal indictments against the president-elect, has requested the cancellation of related deadlines and is reportedly planning to wrap up his involvement and step down ahead of Inauguration Day. The Georgia case, a state-level indictment, remains on hold and likely far away from a trial date.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!