A New York City congressman responded to criticism from Republicans and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding sanctuary jurisdictions. These jurisdictions allegedly release criminal illegal immigrants to federal authorities after their sentences.
Rep. Daniel Goldman, a Democrat representing Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, addressed Reps. Darrell Issa and Tom McClintock from California. They discussed a bill aimed at solidifying former President Donald Trump’s border security measures. Goldman challenged his Republican colleagues to provide examples of cases where convicted offenders were not turned over to the Department of Homeland Security by sanctuary cities.
Sanctuary cities, I ask you please cite one case where there was a criminal conviction, the defendant served his time and was convicted of a removable offense under the Immigration & Nationality Act of 1952 and he was not turned over by the city or the state to the Department of Homeland Security.
This claim was met with skepticism. Rep. Brad Knott noted his experience prosecuting such cases in North Carolina, where legislation overruled local discretion in sanctuary-leaning jurisdictions. Knott cited Fairfax County, Virginia, as an example where cooperation was lacking after convictions.
The DHS countered Goldman’s assertion, referencing data from New York. Since January, the state’s failure to comply with ICE detainers led to the release of 6,947 criminally convicted illegal immigrants. Their offenses included serious crimes such as homicide and assault. Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis emphasized the need for sanctuary politicians to prioritize public safety over political concerns.
Goldman also criticized Issa’s mention of Ellis Island’s immigration policies. He noted his own family’s history through Ellis Island and highlighted the lack of immigration laws and criminal checks during that era. Meanwhile, DHS pointed out 12 cases that contradicted Goldman’s claims. These included a Dominican man arrested for attempted murder, a gang member with a criminal charge, and a Turkish national on the Known or Suspected Terrorist list, all released despite ICE requests.
Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Goldman has worked with Fox News in both New York and Washington bureaus since 2013.