U.S. News
Sanctuary Ruling Could Put NYC Fire Suspect Back on Streets
Clear Facts
- A Mexican national is accused of setting a New York City apartment building on fire, killing four people and injuring seven others.
- New York City’s sanctuary policies are preventing local officials from cooperating with a Department of Homeland Security detainer request.
- Federal data shows thousands of illegal immigrants with criminal charges were released by New York jurisdictions in a single year.
Roman Ceron Amatitla allegedly selected a Flushing apartment building at random before lighting a piece of paper on fire near a stairwell.
Authorities say he remained at the scene to watch the building burn while drinking beer as victims jumped from windows.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the event as an act of mass murder.
Despite the severity of the charges, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that the city’s Department of Corrections refuses to facilitate a transfer to federal custody.
“This monster set fire to a building and watched as innocent people, including a three-year-old, burned to death.”
“New York City sanctuary politicians REFUSE to cooperate with ICE and are choosing to RELEASE this MURDERER onto New York streets,” stated DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis.
Since early 2021, New York’s failure to honor ICE detainers has reportedly led to the release of nearly 7,000 illegal immigrants accused of various crimes.
These offenses include homicides, assaults, and sexual predatory acts according to federal officials.
“New York’s sanctuary politicians must stop putting politics above public safety,” Bis continued.
“Releasing this monster from jail is insanity and will allow him to commit more crimes.”
The current administration in New York continues to support legislative proposals that bar local police departments from partnering with immigration enforcement.
DHS confirmed Amatitla is in the country illegally, though his specific entry details remain unknown.
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