Migrants arrested in Bronx drug raid are now in ICE custody
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misstated the number of migrants in ICE custody. The story has been updated.
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — Three Venezuelan migrants are in federal custody and facing deportation proceedings after repeated arrests while in the United States over the past year, including their most recent arrest in the Bronx, according to ICE.
Federal immigration officials arrested the Venezuelan migrants on Wednesday. Four additional migrants were in police custody on federal immigration detainers, ICE officials said.
A total of eight people were arrested by the NYPD in the Bronx last week. A 911 call resulted in the discovery of four guns as well as drugs inside the basement apartment where the migrants allegedly had been squatting.
“When you’re a landlord, you have to make sure these things don’t happen,” complained one neighbor.
After their initial court appearance, six out of eight were released from custody, much to the chagrin of police officials.
“Walked out the door and one of those eight was one we chased into the basement, has open attempted murder (charge) in Yonkers,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said.
An immigration official told PIX11 News in a statement:
“Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City (NYC) is aware of the recent arrests by NYPD of eight unlawfully present Venezuelan citizens. Today, ERO NYC Fugitive Operations Officers conducted a targeted law enforcement action at 3259 Hull Avenue in the Bronx and apprehended three of those eight noncitizens who are all amenable to removal. ERO-NYC also lodged ICE detainers on four of the remaining noncitizens who are currently being held in local custody.”
The NYPD denied any cooperation in the ICE arrests.
“No partnership, no coordination with federal agents. We’re not allowed by law,” said Chief Chell.
New York is a Sanctuary City, meaning local law enforcement doesn’t cooperate with deportation efforts.
Police say these migrants are dangerous, and officers used restraint during their initial arrests, as one suspect picked up a loaded gun as cops closed in.
Neighbors said cops have been called to the basement apartment multiple times since the migrants began living there.
The landlord was reportedly trying to evict them. He did not return PIX11’s repeated calls for comment.
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