Despite Mayor Eric Adams’ promise to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to Rikers Island, the prison continues to block agents from detaining dangerous criminals—including a migrant accused of a horrific murder.
In February, Adams announced he would sign an executive order permitting ICE agents to apprehend criminal migrants at Rikers. However, weeks later, no such order has been signed, and the city remains a sanctuary for offenders.
The controversy intensified with the arrest of Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal migrant from Guatemala charged with brutally murdering Debrina Kawam, a homeless woman in New Jersey. Zapeta allegedly set Kawam on fire as she slept on a subway train, watching as she burned alive. ICE filed a detainer request for Zapeta, asking the NYC Department of Corrections to notify them of his release and hold him for 48 hours to allow for deportation. However, city officials have refused to comply.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after visiting the crime scene, criticized NYC’s resistance to cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Tom Homan, leading ICE’s deportation efforts under the Trump administration, vowed that Zapeta would not evade justice. “Sanctuary policies won’t stop us,” Homan stated.
While Adams insists he is not obstructing ICE, critics, including NYC Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, say his hands are tied by progressive lawmakers and state officials like Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James. Republican and moderate Democrats in the city council have demanded an end to sanctuary laws but have faced resistance from the liberal-dominated City Hall.
NYC has seen a rise in migrant-related crimes, from violent assaults on NYPD officers to shocking sexual attacks. The influx of over 230,000 migrants has cost taxpayers nearly $7 billion, yet Adams’ promised crackdown remains elusive.
As the crisis escalates, critics urge Adams to act decisively. “Sign the order and make progressives work to override it,” Paladino demanded. For now, the city’s sanctuary status continues to shield criminals at the expense of public safety.
