New York City’s top immigration‑enforcement official, Kenneth Genalo, used a recent Fox News Digital ride‑along in Brooklyn to push back against politicians calling for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Genalo said the proper response is to amend the law, not to demonize the federal agents who risk their lives to enforce it.
Federal agents face criticism from local leaders
Genalo, who leads ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New York City, told reporters, “If you don’t like the job we’re doing and the priorities and the people that we’re targeting, change the law. Congressional people, senators, representatives – change the law, don’t demonize ICE for doing the job that you empowered us to do.”
His comments came after ICE agents arrested two men during the ride‑along – one facing a pending felony sexual‑abuse charge and another who had served seven years for assault. The arrests illustrate the agency’s focus on illegal immigrants who pose public‑safety threats.
Local officials call for dismantling ICE
In July, 143 New York elected officials, including 31 of the city’s 51 council members, signed a letter urging congressional Democrats to dismantle ICE, accusing the agency of widespread abuses. Signatories cited the fatal shootings of federal officers in Minneapolis as evidence of the agency’s alleged disregard for public safety. Among the signatories were newly elected Democrat Claire Valdez, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez.
Genalo argued that such rhetoric fuels anti‑ICE protests and endangers both officers and the public. He highlighted an incident in which protesters disrupted agents attempting to arrest an Ecuadorian national facing child sexual‑abuse charges, asking, “Why would you protest that we’re trying to arrest this individual?”
Impact of local‑federal cooperation
Genalo stressed that cooperation between ICE and local law‑enforcement is essential for public safety. He recalled that before former Mayor Bill de Blasio ended a dedicated unit at Rikers Island, the agency processed more than 100 people a week into federal custody. Former Mayor Eric Adams later tried to restore cooperation, but city‑council restrictions limited progress.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently threatened legal action over ICE’s alleged use of city‑owned parking lots, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the agency, stating that “seven of the ten safest cities in America cooperate with ICE.” DHS also supplied examples of migrants arrested in New York with convictions for sexual assault, weapons offenses, and robbery.
State‑level pushback
Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James reminded local governments of a Nov. 25 deadline to end agreements that allow facilities to hold people solely for federal civil immigration detention under the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act. Genalo warned that the legislation would further restrict ICE cooperation statewide.
He challenged city leaders to put the issue on a ballot, noting that the City Council voted against doing so despite the 31 council members who signed the abolition letter.
Why the debate matters for New Yorkers
Genalo framed the controversy as a misunderstanding of ICE’s mission. He reminded listeners that immigration enforcement has continued under successive administrations and that the current hostile rhetoric overlooks the families of the officers – mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters – who serve the community.
“We’re doing our job to keep neighborhoods safe,” Genalo said, urging New Yorkers to consider the real‑world consequences of politicizing immigration enforcement.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
