NEW YORK, NY — The director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York, Ken Genalo, has disclosed an estimate that approximately 58,000 migrants with criminal arrests or convictions are currently residing on New York City streets.
Genalo clarified that this figure is not solely tied to the recent influx of migrants into the city but instead encompasses cases spanning several years. “This number dates back years and years,” he noted in a statement, aiming to distinguish between historical data and ongoing migration trends.
The disclosure comes amid heightened debate over the resources and public safety concerns linked to the city’s growing migrant population. The recent wave of asylum seekers, many housed in city-run shelters, has added new layers of complexity to the issue.
ICE, tasked with enforcing immigration laws and targeting individuals who pose public safety risks, has not provided further breakdowns or details on the specific offenses linked to the 58,000 figure.
The statistic adds to an already contentious discussion about immigration enforcement and municipal responses to the influx of migrants in New York City.