An illegal Venezuelan migrant with suspected gang ties has reportedly committed 22 crimes in just six months in New York City, according to a local news report and the House Judiciary Committee. Despite his criminal record, the migrant, Daniel Hernandez Martinez, has not yet been deported. The House Judiciary Committee highlighted the failures of sanctuary cities and states, like New York, where politics are prioritized over public safety.
Martinez, a member of the ultra-violent Tren de Aragua gang, was first encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol in Texas in January 2023. Despite his suspected gang affiliation, he was deported back to Mexico under the Trump-era Title 42 order. However, Martinez managed to re-enter the U.S. and embark on a crime spree in New York City, where he was arrested and released multiple times for various offenses.
In July 2023, Martinez was caught allegedly stealing a bag of potato chips and toothpaste, and when confronted by an undercover officer, he brandished a knife and threatened the cop. Despite the serious nature of the incident, he was released without bail, and the charges were later dropped. Martinez continued to commit crimes, including assaulting police officers and a woman, before ICE finally took him into custody after his seventh arrest in New York City.
Despite ICE seeking a detainer against Martinez, he was released from Rikers Island jail in November 2023 and continued his criminal activities until he was apprehended by ICE. Although he was scheduled for deportation in June of the following year, Venezuela was not accepting flights, leaving Martinez to remain in the U.S. indefinitely.
The House Judiciary Committee report criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for downplaying the threat posed by illegal migrants and highlighted the impact of the Biden administration’s border policies on national security. According to the report, the chaos at the southwest border, exacerbated by the administration’s policies, has led to insecurity in the interior of the country.
Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales described Martinez’s gang as “MS-13 on steroids,” emphasizing their aggressive and organized nature. With over 7 million illegal migrants entering the U.S. in the past four years, the report holds President Biden and Vice President Harris accountable for the destabilization of the nation.
In light of these developments, experts like Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council emphasize the need for expedited adjudication of cases and the deportation of illegal migrants to address the ongoing crisis effectively. By prioritizing the safety and security of American citizens over political considerations, they argue that a more robust approach to immigration enforcement is necessary to prevent further escalations in crime rates and threats to public safety.