There could be at least 22.1 million illegal immigrants in the United States, according to an audit released last Tuesday from the Homeland Security inspector general, citing an academic study.
“The number of removable aliens in the United States is unknown. However, in 2015, DHS estimated that number to be 12 million, and a slightly more recent academic study estimated it to be 22.1 million,” according to the audit.
The audit also found that there are more than 17,000 at-large illegal immigrants who were released by sanctuary cities since 2013. Releasing illegal immigrants from law enforcement custody puts the lives of citizens’ in danger, ICE says.
Previous reports from ICE have echoed the same point: that sanctuary cities make it more difficult to protect legal residents and help violent criminals get away with their crimes.
Some recent examples illustrate how New York City officials are actively protecting illegal immigrants charged with a number of violent crimes, including rape and murder, by refusing to cooperate with ICE.
An illegal immigrant from Mexico, 34-year old Adrian Moran-Torres, was arrested by NYPD on Nov. 20 with charges of 2nd and 3rd-degree assault with the intent to cause physical harm and act in a manner to injure a child less than 17. New York released Moran-Torres form custody.
Additionally, New York City denied a deportation request from ICE regarding a 21-year old illegal immigrant from Guyana, Reeaz Khan, who was arrested on weapons and assault charges last year, according to the Washington Times. Khan went on to rape and kill a 92-year old woman on Jan 6.
“When law enforcement agencies fail to honor immigration detainers and release serious criminal offenders onto the streets, it undermines ICE’s ability to protect public safety and carry out its mission,” ICE wrote in a statement on Friday. ICE added that the city is putting “politics before public safety.”