4-Year-Old Abducted in New York, Suspect Re-Arrested

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained 38-year-old Carlos Corte-Corte, a citizen of Ecuador, following his alleged kidnapping of a 4-year-old girl in New York. The incident occurred at a laundromat on Long Island, prompting a search that led to the child’s safe recovery at the Patchogue-Medford Library.

DHS Condemns Sanctuary Policies

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strongly criticized New York’s sanctuary policies, asserting they contributed to the incident. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that Corte-Corte, a three-time deported criminal, was released back into the community despite ICE’s concerns.

Details of the Kidnapping

ICE officers initially arrested Corte-Corte on March 28th after he was seen leading the child out of Laundry Kingdom in Patchogue. The girl’s mother reported her missing, initiating a search involving surveillance footage and area canvassing. Corte-Corte was apprehended near the laundromat and charged with second-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child, along with an outstanding warrant.

Re-Arrest and Prior Deportations

Following his initial arrest, Corte-Corte was released by local authorities. ICE subsequently re-arrested him on March 31st and initiated removal proceedings. The DHS confirmed Corte-Corte had illegally entered the U.S. on at least three prior occasions in 2020, being deported each time before re-entering illegally a fourth time.

Warning Ignored by New York Attorney General

The DHS revealed that ICE Director Todd Lyons had previously sent a letter to New York Attorney General Leticia James, urging her not to release over 7,000 criminal illegal immigrants in state and local custody. This included individuals with convictions or charges related to serious crimes. The Attorney General’s office did not respond to the letter.

Statistics on Released Criminals

As of December 1st, New York’s policies had resulted in the release of 6,947 criminal illegal immigrants since January 20th. These individuals were linked to a range of crimes, including 29 homicides, 2,509 assaults, and numerous other offenses. Additionally, 7,113 aliens in New York custody had active ICE detainers for crimes including 148 homicides and 717 assaults.

Broader Implications

The DHS emphasizes the importance of cooperation between local authorities and federal law enforcement in protecting communities. This case underscores the ongoing debate surrounding sanctuary policies and their potential impact on public safety.