Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports that over 1,000 suspected gang members among illegal migrants are currently in New York City. The alarming figure underscores the challenges posed by the city’s ongoing migrant crisis.
ICE data reveals 1,053 illegal migrants in the city are suspected or confirmed gang members. This comes as New York grapples with an influx of over 223,000 illegal migrants in the last two years. Federal authorities estimate that more than 759,000 individuals who crossed the border illegally now reside in the city.
Criminal activity among migrants has become a major concern. NYPD officials report that members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua are active in the city, recruiting children within city-run shelters. Authorities have identified 39 members of the gang and additional recruits from a subgroup.
The situation has also led to violent clashes with law enforcement. This month, two migrants were arrested following an altercation with police, with one suspect carrying a loaded AR-15. In another incident, a migrant who allegedly attacked officers in Times Square was released and seen mocking cameras.
Mayor Eric Adams has labeled the crisis a dire emergency. “This issue will destroy New York City,” he warned, citing the strain on resources. The city has already spent $5 billion on services and is projected to spend $12 billion by next year.
Nationally, ICE estimates nearly 7.8 million illegal migrants in the US. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to address the issue with a comprehensive deportation effort, focusing on criminal migrants. “We’ll be looking for over 1.5 million convicted criminal aliens with removal orders,” said “border czar” Tom Homan.
