NYC Declines ICE Detainer for Suspect in Deadly Flushing Arson; DHS Demands Action

Federal officials say New York City declined a request from immigration agents to hold a man accused of setting a Flushing apartment building on fire on March 16. The blaze killed four people and injured seven others, and prosecutors say the suspect returned to the scene to watch as victims tried to escape.

What Authorities Say Happened

Queens prosecutors and local law enforcement identified the defendant as Roman Ceron Amatitla, 38, of Maspeth. He faces eight counts of second-degree murder and a first-degree arson charge. According to the Queens District Attorney's account, Amatitla entered and exited the three-story Avery Avenue building multiple times that day, urinated near the apartments, then went to a nearby gas station where he purchased a beer, allegedly stole a second beer and took a pack of matches after refusing to pay for a lighter. Prosecutors say he returned a fourth time, lit a piece of paper and tossed it into trash near a stairwell, igniting the blaze.

Roman Ceron Amatitla is charged in connection with a deadly New York City arson.

District Attorney Melinda Katz told reporters that as smoke filled the street the defendant remained nearby and watched residents flee or jump from windows. Authorities say the fire resulted in four deaths, including a young child, and seven injuries.

ICE Detainer Request and City Response

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested that the New York City Department of Corrections (NYCDOC) hold Amatitla for transfer to federal immigration authorities. NYCDOC declined to accommodate the request, citing New York City's sanctuary-related policies and recent local executive direction limiting cooperation with federal immigration detainers.

At least four people died in the New York City fire, which was allegedly intentionally set last month.

DHS Reaction and Reported Statistics

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials sharply criticized the city's refusal to honor the detainer. DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the decision risks public safety and urged state and city leaders to prevent the suspect's release.

"This monster set fire to a building and watched as innocent people, including a three-year-old, burned to death," DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement quoted by officials.

DHS provided figures it attributes to New York jurisdictions: it reported that 6,947 undocumented immigrants were released after local authorities declined ICE detainer requests between Jan. 20 and Dec. 1, and that 7,113 people in custody had active detainers during that period. DHS listed a range of alleged offenses connected to those cases, including homicides, assaults and sexual offenses. These numbers were released by DHS to support its argument that local noncooperation can have public-safety consequences.

Roman Amatitla was seen being transported in handcuffs.

Legal Status and Next Steps

DHS confirmed Amatitla is an undocumented immigrant but said it did not have public information about where or when he entered the United States. Local prosecutors continue to pursue criminal charges related to the deadly arson. Whether the suspect will be transferred to federal immigration custody or remain in local criminal custody will depend on ongoing legal and administrative decisions by New York authorities and any applicable court rulings.

Note: This article summarizes public statements from prosecutors and federal officials. Some details remain subject to confirmation as investigations and court proceedings continue.