Federal Charges Intensify Sanctuary City Tensions

Clear Facts

• Two illegal migrants have been federally charged for shooting an off-duty border officer in New York City.
• Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa, both Dominican nationals, allegedly ambushed the officer in a robbery attempt.
• The attack has intensified tensions between the Trump administration and New York City over sanctuary city policies.

In a significant move by the Trump administration, federal charges have been brought against two illegal migrants accused of a violent attack on an off-duty border officer in New York City.

Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez faces charges for possession of ammunition as an illegal migrant, while Christhian Aybar-Berroa is charged with being an accessory after the fact, as announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The two men, both Dominican nationals residing unlawfully in the U.S., allegedly targeted a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in a botched robbery attempt in July.

“As alleged, Miguel Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa came to a New York City park and Mora Nunez opened fire — hitting a federal officer in the face,” stated U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

“Gun violence will not go unanswered,” Clayton emphasized. “Our office will relentlessly pursue anyone who threatens the safety of New Yorkers and the federal officers sworn to protect them.”

The incident reportedly occurred in Washington Park, Manhattan, where Mora Nunez and Aybar-Berroa ambushed the officer while riding a moped. Mora Nunez allegedly attempted to rob the officer, shooting him in the face and arm, but was subsequently shot twice by the officer in self-defense.

Security footage of the incident was released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), showing the ambush and shooting.

Both suspects were apprehended on Monday, confirmed by DHS, and have extensive criminal histories in New York City.

Mora Nunez’s criminal record includes arrests for felony grand larceny, petit larceny, and reckless driving in October 2023, and multiple assault charges in 2024. He also faced a warrant for armed robbery in Massachusetts in 2025.

Aybar-Berroa was previously arrested for reckless endangerment in 2023, and various larceny charges in 2024, yet was released despite an immigration detainer. He faced further charges in 2025 for reckless endangerment and driving offenses.

“As alleged, these defendants entered and spent years in our country illegally, and their criminal activity culminated in Saturday night’s near-deadly attack on one of our own,” remarked HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel.

“Today’s announcement underscores HSI New York’s tireless commitment to answers, and ultimately justice on behalf of our DHS family, alongside our partners from CBP, the NYPD, and the United States Attorney’s Office for Southern District of New York.”

This violent act against a CBP officer has further strained relations between the Trump administration and New York City officials, particularly over the city’s sanctuary laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The DOJ has also initiated a lawsuit against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other officials regarding these sanctuary policies.

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