Kenneth Genalo, the director of the New York City field office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, recently raised concerns over the feasibility of deporting migrant criminals within the city.

In a candid interview, Genalo criticized New York City's sanctuary policies, which he claims significantly hamper the incoming Trump administration's anticipated efforts to address migrant-related crimes and facilitate deportations, as the New York Post reports.

Genalo has been a part of ICE for 33 years and currently oversees a team of nearly 400 staffers. During his tenure, he has seen immigration enforcement challenges intensify, particularly with the rising number of migrant criminals.

Deep Dive into Migrant Crime Statistics

According to ICE data, the United States harbors approximately 7.8 million undocumented immigrants, with 662,586 classified as convicted felons or individuals facing criminal charges as of mid-July.

New York City, a hotspot for migrants, has seen over 223,000 newcomers since the onset of the immigration crisis in early 2022.

With city shelters currently supporting around 58,000 migrants, Genalo emphasized the strain this places on resources that are meant to target severe offenders.

Sanctuary Laws Under Scrutiny

Genalo is particularly critical of local sanctuary laws initiated under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, which restrict cooperation between city law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

These laws were fortified in 2018, further complicating the efforts of federal agencies.

The consequences of these policies were tragically underscored by the murder of a Georgia nursing student, Laken Riley. The accused, an illegal migrant, had previously faced charges of child endangerment and had been in NYC custody.

A Call for Policy Reevaluation

Current NYC Mayor Eric Adams has hinted at a potential softening of sanctuary rules for migrants suspected of serious crimes.

However, he faces opposition within the City Council, making policy changes uncertain.

"In New York City, it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have if the status quo remains the same," Genalo expressed in frustration.

Challenges of Targeting High-Level Offenders

“We need additional resources,” Genalo stated, explaining the difficulty in focusing efforts solely on the most egregious violators. "All I can tell you is we have leads that we work every day -- and it’s not in the hundreds," he added, highlighting the enormity of the task.

Genalo lamented the protective shield that sanctuary policies provide criminals, preventing federal authorities from efficiently performing their duties.

Impact on the Migrant Community

“The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against the most vulnerable people in the community, and that’s the migrant females and migrant children. I don’t understand how they believe sanctuary policies are helping or assisting,” remarked Genalo.

The ICE director pointed out that the very policies meant to protect the community are instead harming those they aim to protect, thereby undermining public safety.

Local and Federal Tensions Persist

“The mayor knows we need to cooperate. He sees what’s going on in New York City, and he wants help from the federal government,” Genalo noted, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to effectively address the issue.

As migrant numbers continue to rise, the dialogue between city and federal officials is crucial to resolving the challenges posed by sanctuary laws and ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers.