Andrew Cuomo: "We are the capital of diversity"

Andrew Cuomo: "The city of New York, we are the capital of diversity. 180 languages are spoken in our school system. 180 different languages, people from all over the world. That makes us stronger, not weaker."

Over the past four years, New York has seen a significant increase in crimes committed by illegal immigrants, especially in areas such as Midtown Manhattan and Queens. According to estimates from police sources, up to 75% of those arrested in Midtown for serious crimes such as assaults, robberies, and domestic violence were immigrants. In some areas of Queens, this percentage exceeds 60%.

Additionally, there have been serious incidents documented, such as the case of Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, a Venezuelan immigrant who shot two NYPD officers in June 2024. Mata had entered the country illegally in 2023 and was sentenced to 28 years in prison for attempted murder and assault.

Another notable case is that of José Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant who, after entering illegally in 2022, was arrested in 2023 for offenses related to minors and theft, and was later linked to a murder in Georgia.

These incidents have raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of New York's "sanctuary city" policies, which limit local authorities' cooperation with ICE. While some experts suggest that it is premature to label these events as a "migrant crime wave," the data indicate a correlation between the increase in illegal immigrants and certain types of crimes.