DHS Urges Letitia James to Enforce ICE Detainers After Thousands Allegedly Released

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly urged New York Attorney General Letitia James to take action after asserting that thousands of noncitizens with criminal records were released from New York custody instead of being transferred to federal immigration authorities.

In a post on X, DHS said New York City’s refusal to honor ICE detainers led to the release of 6,947 people with alleged criminal records since January 20, and that roughly 7,000 more remain in custody in New York jurisdictions with active detainers. The agency has called on Attorney General James to press local jurisdictions to cooperate with federal arrest detainer requests.

James' office has responded that the New York Attorney General’s Office "does not receive detainer requests as we rarely take custody of individuals," noting that detainer requests are addressed to many different entities—local police departments, county jails and other agencies—each with its own applicable laws and policies. She argued that this creates a range of lawful local practices that fall outside the attorney general’s direct control.

Federal letter cites case examples and crime tallies

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Attorney General James outlining specific cases and broader statistics to support the federal position. Lyons described several people in state or local custody whom DHS says were not only in the country unlawfully but also accused or convicted of serious crimes, and argued they should be removed rather than returned to the community after release.

Examples cited by Lyons include:

• Steven Daniel Henriquez Galicia, arrested locally on charges including attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon; ICE later took custody of him in the Bronx and he remains in federal custody pending immigration proceedings.
• Vyacheslav Danilovich Kim, arrested on multiple charges involving sexual offenses against minors; Lyons said Kim had been convicted previously and was later arrested by ICE in 2024 and deported.
• Anderson Smith Satuye-Martinez, identified by DHS as an alleged gang member with prior convictions; DHS says he was released despite an active ICE detainer and later taken into federal custody.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized New York officials, saying public safety is at risk if individuals charged with or convicted of serious crimes are released without federal authorities being notified or given the opportunity to assume custody.

Enforcement activity and local reaction

ICE enforcement operations in parts of New York City, including an intensified presence in Chinatown, have sparked protests over the past month. Police reported multiple arrests during a recent demonstration in Lower Manhattan where officers said some protesters blocked streets and obstructed ICE vehicles.

State officials, including the governor’s office, were contacted for comment; the attorney general’s earlier letter to ICE and DHS statements are the primary public documents cited in this dispute.

Note: Statistics and case details above are presented as reported by DHS in communications to state officials; they reflect federal claims about detainer outcomes and do not necessarily represent findings in court or adjudications of immigration status.