An off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent was shot and wounded Saturday night during an attempted robbery at Fort Washington Park in Manhattan. The agent, whose identity was withheld for security reasons, was shot in the face and arm, but his condition is stable after he underwent surgery.
Federal authorities confirmed Monday, July 21, that two men of Dominican origin were arrested in connection with the shooting. The first, Miguel Francisco Mora Nuñez, 21, was captured Sunday when he arrived wounded at a hospital. The second suspect, Christhian Aybar-Berroa, was arrested on Monday by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Both entered the United States illegally – Mora in 2023 and Aybar-Berroa in 2022 – and, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records, Mora had four prior arrests and an active deportation order from 2024 for failure to appear before an immigration judge.
Official statements and controversy
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sharply criticized sanctuary city laws, such as New York’s, for impeding cooperation between local and federal authorities.
“These policies allow dangerous criminals to evade deportation and continue to commit crimes in our communities,” he said at a press conference.
For his part, ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons issued a strong statement:
“The Biden administration’s sanctuary city policies and open border policies allowed two illegal immigrants with criminal records to enter this country, move freely, and commit multiple crimes without consequence.”
“Habitual criminals who shouldn’t even be in the United States shot at an off-duty federal agent in what was the second armed robbery of the year for one of the attackers.”
“I am deeply relieved that this CBP officer will recover, but the fact remains that this should not have happened.”
It is clear these criminal aliens have no respect for laws or, quite frnakly, for life
Todd M. Lyons
“ICE’s mission remains to remove exactly these types of heinous criminals from our streets, and we will continue to do so.”
Migrant community
Buzzy
This incident has reignited an intense immigration debate, especially on the validity and consequences of sanctuary cities.
Many immigration rights advocates warn that these types of speeches and operations generate fear in Hispanic communities.
In addition to discouraging cooperation with the authorities.
ICE is also expected to increase operations in urban areas in the wake of this case.
Especially in cities where immigrants without serious backgrounds, but with open immigration proceedings, are protected.
The shooting of a CBP agent in New York has sparked not only immediate police action, but also a new wave of tensions over immigration and security policies.
ICE and DHS require full cooperation with their agencies.
This as Hispanic communities face the challenge of staying informed, safe and secure in an increasingly hostile environment.
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