New York failed to honor nearly 15,000 ICE detainers, DHS says, citing 47,750 linked criminal charges

Why it matters

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in an Oct 9 statement that New York authorities failed to honor 14,916 detainers issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) between January 20, 2025 and September 14, 2026, with 47,750 criminal charges and convictions associated with those cases. DHS blamed New York's sanctuary policies, which restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Oct 11 told reporters New York had answered the detainer requests with "absolute silence." The remarks followed an Oct 8 ICE operation in the Bronx in which agents shot a Dominican gang suspect during an attempted arrest — an incident that has fueled a fierce dispute between New York politicians, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the federal government over ICE tactics.

New York state and city sanctuary policies generally bar local agencies from honoring ICE detainers without a judicial warrant; the federal government argues this endangers public safety. The dispute over the data and enforcement authority is expected to continue.

Sources: U.S. Department of Homeland Security statement (Oct 9, 2026), secretary's press briefing (Oct 11).