UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, the Bronx (PIX11) --- After a Venezuelan migrant allegedly shot and killed two Bronx residents, a group of lawmakers is trying to change New York City's sanctuary laws.
Eight City Council members introduced a bill that would modify some of the sanctuary hurdles and allow law enforcement agencies like the NYPD and the Department of Corrections to cooperate with U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
"Sanctuary policies are not keeping the citizens, residents, and migrants in the city of New York safe," NYC ICE Director Ken Genalo said.
The bill, however, faces some opposition from the council's Democratic majority.
Josue Silva, a migrant from Venezuela, allegedly pulled a gun and shot a 40-year-old man in the arm before shooting Claretha Daniels, 44, and Justin Lawless, 36, in the chest as he was running from the scene, police said. The victims died at the hospital.
The shooting happened after a fight between a group of migrant squatters and longtime residents at an apartment building on Davidson Avenue in University Heights on May 24, according to the NYPD.
“As he’s running past them, he hits them both in the chest, kills them both,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny said.
Silva has not been arrested yet and is allegedly connected to a non-fatal shooting in the same building where a migrant shot himself in the hand on Feb. 24, authorities said. The migrant told cops Silva gave him the gun.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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