Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has re-arrested Carlos Corte-Corte, a 38-year-old citizen of Ecuador, after his release by New York authorities following his arrest for kidnapping a 4-year-old girl. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has voiced strong criticism of New York’s sanctuary policies in light of this incident.

Details of the Kidnapping

On March 28, Corte-Corte allegedly abducted the young girl from Laundry Kingdom in Patchogue, Long Island. He led the child out a back exit while she was with her mother and another child. The mother promptly reported her daughter missing, initiating a search by patrol officers.

Recovery and Initial Arrest

Surveillance footage aided in the search, and the girl was eventually found safe in the children’s play area of the Patchogue-Medford Library. Corte-Corte was located near the laundromat and taken into custody. He faced charges of second-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child, as well as an existing warrant.

DHS Criticism of Sanctuary Policies

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that Corte-Corte is a three-time deported criminal alien. She accused New York sanctuary politicians of prioritizing politics over public safety by releasing him from jail despite an ICE detainer. Bis commended ICE for removing Corte-Corte from the streets.

ICE Detainer Statistics

DHS reported that as of December 1, New York’s refusal to honor ICE detainers had resulted in the release of 6,947 criminal illegal immigrants since January 20. These individuals are accused of committing a wide range of serious crimes, including homicide, assault, and sexual offenses. Currently, 7,113 aliens in New York custody have active ICE detainers.

Continued Enforcement Efforts

Following his re-arrest on March 31, Corte-Corte is now facing removal proceedings. ICE confirmed he illegally entered the U.S. on at least three previous occasions in 2020, being removed each time before re-entering a fourth time. This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and public safety.

ICE Director Todd Lyons recently sent a letter to New York Attorney General Leticia James, urging her not to release over 7,000 criminal illegal immigrants. The Attorney General’s office did not respond to the letter.