Federal officials say New York authorities declined more than 16,000 ICE detainers during President Donald Trump’s second term, citing cases including a man accused of setting a Queens fire that killed four people.
Roman Ceron Amatitla is charged in the March 16 blaze in Flushing, which killed a 3-year-old girl and three adults. The Department of Homeland Security says New York City refused its request to cooperate with immigration authorities if he becomes eligible for release.
Amatitla’s criminal prosecution has continued separately. A judge ordered him held without bail, and prosecutors upgraded his murder charges in May.
DHS releases statewide detainer figures
DHS published its figures Oct. 12, saying New York failed to honor 16,070 detainers between Jan. 20, 2025, and Oct. 8, 2026. The department linked those requests to 52,503 criminal charges and convictions. The tally covers charges as well as convictions, rather than counting only offenses proven in court…