<p>Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of prioritizing criminals over public safety following an incident where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and wounded a Dominican national with alleged gang ties in New York City.</p>
<p>“The mayor speaks with a political tone. His words are dangerous and incite hostility,” Mullin stated at a press conference on Friday, alleging that Mamdani was attempting to secure the release of the individual involved.</p>
<p>Mullin mentioned that President Donald Trump had offered to release the individual into the custody of the New York City Police Department if local authorities agreed to pursue charges. However, he claimed that Mamdani rejected this offer and sought the man's release without further action.</p>
<p>Mullin criticized New York leaders for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities, asserting that sanctuary city policies contribute to criminal activity. “Sanctuary politicians… create an environment for criminal activity to thrive, not for the American citizens to be safe,” he said. He added that under President Trump, there was a clear intention to restore law and order in cities.</p>
<p>The secretary also condemned New York officials for releasing suspects despite federal immigration detainers, arguing that they were prioritizing criminals over law-abiding residents. “We’re not picking and choosing which laws to enforce, like these sanctuary politicians,” Mullin remarked. “Why is that controversial? We should all want law and order on our streets.”</p>
<p>Mullin referenced a recent incident where two NYPD officers were stabbed, alleging that the suspects had extensive criminal histories and had been released by local authorities despite immigration detainers. He accused Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul of remaining silent about the attack while criticizing ICE’s enforcement actions.</p>
<p>“The outrage should be the same,” Mullin stated. “If you actually want justice, you should want justice for actually everyone.”</p>
<p>Oscar Belgal, 28, was shot around 4 p.m. on Thursday in the Marble Hill neighborhood. ICE official Marcos Charles reported that Belgal “weaponized” his car, attempting to drive into nearby ICE agents, which led to the agents taking action and striking him in the neck. After receiving medical care, he was transported to a detention facility.</p>
<p>Mullin noted that Belgal had been in the United States for about three years and had an extensive criminal history, including theft and criminal sale of a controlled substance, and was allegedly affiliated with the Trinitarios gang. “He came in this country legally a few years ago, and ever since he’s come in, he’s committed crime, crime after crime,” Mullin said. “You’re going to call that a New Yorker? I think that’s a far cry.”</p>
<p>Mamdani stated that he spent two hours negotiating with Trump and Mullin in an unsuccessful effort to secure the man’s release to local authorities.</p>
<p>The mayor condemned the shooting on social media, describing it as “unconscionable and incredibly serious” and called for Trump to end ICE enforcement operations in the city. He reiterated his demand to abolish the agency, stating, “I will not stand by while ICE agents terrorize our communities. Get ICE out of our neighborhoods. Get ICE out of our hospitals. Get ICE off our streets. Get ICE away from our children. Abolish ICE.”</p>