An illegal alien charged with sex crimes was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers after New York City authorities released the suspect days after his arrest on charges that include child rape.
U.S. Border Patrol agents first encountered Miguel Federico Ajqui-Ajtzalam, 20, in Sep 2016 after the Guatemalan national illegally entered the U.S. without an inspection, according to a statement from ICE. Ajqui-Ajtzalam was released from ICE custody pending removal proceedings but subsequently arrested by New York City Police officers on Feb. 27. He was charged with various sex crimes, including felony rape and sexual abuse of a child.
Despite the charges, Ajqui-Ajtzalam was released under New York City's sanctuary policies in defiance of an immigration detainer lodged by ICE. On Monday, ERO officers arrested the criminal alien in Brooklyn. He remains in the custody of ICE pending immigration removal proceedings.
"It’s inconceivable that an individual who was arrested for local charges of rape and sexual abuse of a child, would be released back into the community instead of being transferred to ICE who had a detainer in place," ERO Field Office Director Thomas R. Decker said in a statement. "It’s frightening that our detainer was ignored and he was released onto New York City streets to possibly re-offend. The safety of city residents, especially the more vulnerable, continues to be a priority for ICE enforcement."
ICE prioritizes the removal of public safety threats, including convicted criminals and known gang members that are unlawfully present in the United States. Sanctuary laws, like the ones in New York City, jeopardize public safety by releasing violent aliens back onto the streets instead of handing the aliens over to federal immigration authorities.
