This article examines Rep. Dan Goldman’s defense of policies that let violent illegal immigrants go free in New York, the Department of Homeland Security’s sharp response, and the wider debate over sanctuary rules and public safety.
Elected officials are supposed to protect their constituents and uphold the rule of law, yet some New York Democrats have repeatedly sided with policies that result in criminal aliens being released. Those decisions have real consequences, with violent offenders returning to the streets instead of being turned over to federal authorities for immigration enforcement. The political theater at ICE and CBP facilities has become a regular feature of this debate.
Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10) has shown up at detention centers alongside other Democrats and used incendiary language to describe enforcement officers, even comparing them to “the Gestapo.” That rhetoric doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it contributes to an environment where agents are doxxed, threatened, and sometimes assaulted. Masking and other security measures are responses to credible risks, not theatrical choices.
Recent reporting shows New York state released nearly 7,000 criminal aliens “without notifying ICE since President Trump took office.” Many of these releases involve violent offenders who had detainers lodged against them by federal authorities. Releasing people with previous convictions or serious pending charges undermines public safety and frustrates law enforcement at every level.
Sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation between local police and federal immigration agencies are the root of much of this problem. When local officials refuse to honor detainers or hand over custody, federal officers lose the chance to enforce immigration laws and remove dangerous individuals. The political calculation behind those policies often prioritizes ideology over tangible safety outcomes.
Goldman responded to the DHS criticism by framing the issue in terms of “due process” and praising existing local procedures, using the terms “convicted criminals” and “those charged” rather than referring to immigration status. That choice of language deflects from the core issue: these were noncitizens with criminal histories or serious allegations who remained in the community. Words can obscure consequences, but the outcomes speak plainly.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin laid out specific cases to make the point that releasing dangerous people is not hypothetical. The list of arrests and releases she cited includes rape, attempted murder, weapons offenses, gang ties, and convictions for assault and criminal contempt. Those are the kinds of cases where coordination with ICE would normally prevent reentry to the public.
Riddle me this, Congressman @danielsgoldman: why did NY release these violent criminals from custody, refuse to turn them over to @ICEgov and put them BACK on New York streets?
-NYPD arrested Huseyin Aslan for rape, assault, and criminal contempt, and he was convicted for aggravated criminal contempt. Despite an ICE detainer lodged against him, Aslan was released.
-Steven Daniel Henriquez Galicia was arrested for attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Despite an ICE detainer, Henriquez was released.
-On August 19, NY authorities arrested Anderson Smith Satuye-Martinez, a Crips gang member, for criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance. He also has a conviction for assault. Despite an ICE detainer lodged against him, Satuye-Martinez was released by local authorities.
-On September 25, NY authorities arrested Jose David Hernandez-Hernandez for rape, strangulation, and assault. Despite an ICE detainer lodged against him, Hernandez-Hernandez was released by local authorities.
Facts like those make DHS’s frustration understandable, and they also show why many voters worry that sanctuary policies prioritize political posturing over public safety. New Yorkers expect law enforcement to work together to keep streets safe, not to pass offenders back and forth because of policy disputes. When cooperation breaks down, public trust erodes.
DHS later presented aggregate statistics that underscore the scope of the problem: dozens of homicides and thousands of assaults tied to people released under the current approach. These numbers highlight violent and property crimes and show that the human cost of these decisions is significant. Presenting raw totals like these is meant to cut through the abstractions and show concrete impact.
-29 homicides
-2,509 assaults
-207 sexual predatory offenses
-199 burglaries
-305 robberies
-392 dangerous drugs offenses
-300 weapons offenses
Critics argue these figures are not something to be proud of, and they see a pattern: political leaders prioritizing “inclusion” and optics over basic security. For constituents who live in districts affected by these releases, the debate isn’t academic. It is about the safety of neighbors, families, and local communities.
At its core, this conflict is about whether local jurisdictions will respect and cooperate with federal immigration enforcement when criminality is involved. Choosing to block or ignore detainers hands momentum to those who exploit policy gaps and leaves victims with fewer protections. Lawmakers who defend such choices face a growing backlash from voters who want safer streets and consistent rule of law.
The ongoing exchanges between New York Democrats and DHS are unlikely to disappear while sanctuary policies remain in place. That leaves elected officials with a choice: stick with an ideology that has clear costs, or adjust policies to restore cooperation and protect the public. The path each leader takes will matter in the next election and in the lives of everyday citizens.
These assholes need to be removed immediately from office since the don’t know how to read and understand the constitution and a president’s EOs. These incompetent politicians are a failure to the American people this is why Trump got elected to clean up the democrats mess garbage corruption money laundering wasting Trillions of taxpayers money and have nothing to show for it. Destroy our economy and allowed 20-30 Million illegals invade our country and neighborhoods just so they can get their votes. How did all democrats become multimillionaires on a government salary in four years of the Biden democrats administration corruption dealings.