A lack of cooperation with ICE to deport an illegal immigrant resulted in a family tragedy
Roman Amatitla, an illegal immigrant, is charged with arson and eight counts of second-degree murder for a fire that killed four people in Queens, including a 3-year-old girl. Despite ICE issuing a detainer, the New York City Department of Correction refused to cooperate, citing sanctuary policies. The case has reignited debate over immigration enforcement and sanctuary city laws.
- ▪Roman Amatitla is accused of setting a fire in a Flushing apartment building that killed four people, including a child.
- ▪Amatitla entered the United States illegally, and ICE had issued a detainer that the NYC Department of Correction refused to honor.
- ▪Since January 20, New York’s non-cooperation with ICE has led to the release of 6,947 criminal illegal aliens, including those convicted of homicides, assaults, and drug offenses.
- ▪DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas implemented policies limiting ICE’s ability to deport criminal aliens based on 'prosecutorial discretion' and equity considerations.
- ▪The Biden administration's immigration policies have been criticized for prioritizing equity over enforcement, contributing to sanctuary city practices.
- ▪New York may pass a stricter sanctuary bill that would further restrict local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Opinion A lack of cooperation with ICE to deport an illegal immigrant resulted in a family tragedy By Andrew Arthur Published May 3, 2026, 9:52 p.m. ET Roman Amatitla, 38, accused of murdering four people in a fire, including a 3-year-old girl at a house on Avery Avenue, is seen here at his Arraignment in Queens on Thursday April 9, 2026. Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News Why would the New York City Department of Correction refuse to honor a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer for an illegal Mexican national facing murder and arson charges in Queens? The same perverted sense of “equity” that drove the Biden administration to open the border to millions of illegal migrants.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
