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Binghamton, NY – In a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today formally requested she allow the deportation of all illegal immigrants with criminal histories from the state and repeal New York’s sanctuary state designation. This push follows the arrest of Gianfranco Torres-Navarro in Endicott, a Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 murders, who was caught and released at the southern border because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s border policy.

Rep. Molinaro said, “A serial killer and gang leader from Peru was in the country illegally and allowed to roam our community for months, with the potential for taking even more lives. This news comes shortly after a 15-year-old girl was raped by an illegal immigrant in the Capital Region, a 21-year-old was suffocated to death in Central New York, and a young woman was sexually assaulted and strangled by an illegal immigrant in the Catskills.

Rep. Molinaro continued, “One instance of harm done to a New Yorker by an illegal immigrant should be enough for Governor Hochul to take action. Yet, nothing has been done. Today, I’m calling on Governor Hochul to repeal Executive Order 170 which designates New York as a sanctuary state and prevents law enforcement from cooperating with federal Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents. I’m also calling on her to direct state and local law enforcement to notify ICE of all illegal immigrants with a criminal record currently in the state so they can swiftly be deported from the state to ensure the safety of New Yorkers and prevent any additional heinous crimes from taking place.”

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear Governor Hochul,

On August 14, a gang leader who entered the country illegally from our southern border and is wanted for murdering 23 people, was arrested in Endicott, New York. The fact that someone this dangerous was able to enter our country in the first place is incredibly concerning and cause for action by President Biden to finally close our southern border with executive action.

It is even more concerning that this dangerous individual was roaming around communities in Broome County for months on end, with the potential for taking even more lives. This news comes shortly after a 15-year-old girl was raped by an illegal immigrant in the Capital Region, a 21-year-old was suffocated to death in Central New York, and a young woman was sexually assaulted and strangled by an illegal immigrant in the Catskills. One instance of harm done to a New Yorker by an illegal immigrant should be enough for you to take action.

Therefore, I call on you to take the following actions to finally work to make our communities safe:

1. Rescind NY Executive Order 170 which designates New York as a sanctuary state and prevents law enforcement from cooperating with federal Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents.
2. Immediately direct state and local law enforcement to notify ICE of all illegal immigrants with a criminal record currently in the state so they can swiftly be deported from the state to ensure the safety of New Yorkers and prevent any additional heinous crimes from taking place.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I request a response with the actions you have taken no later than August 29, 2024.