ICE, November 8, 2019

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deportation officers arrested Irvin Acaphelus Cespedes, 41, Wednesday, Oct.16. Cespedes, an illegally present Jamaican national who has pending attempted murder charges, was released three times between April and October 2019 from local law enforcement custody with an active detainer because of New York City’s sanctuary policies.

“ICE in New York has repeatedly stated that we prioritize the arrest of criminal aliens, and we act in the interest of public safety, unlike New York City politicians who act in the interest of their own personal views while risking the safety of their constituents,” said Thomas R. Decker, field office director of ERO New York. “Cespedes was released on an active ICE detainer multiple times, including after being charged with attempted murder, and instead of him being turned over to our custody, he was released again into the community to continue his threat on the citizens of New York.”

On April 18, 2019, Cespedes was arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD) for the charges of criminal possession of marijuana 3rd: aggravate weight more than 8 ounces, criminal possession of marijuana 4th, criminal possession of marijuana 4th: aggregate weight more than 2 ounces, criminal possession of marijuana 5th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. The next day,ERO deportation officers lodged a detainer with the NYPD. The detainer was not honored and Cespedes was released.

On July 7, Cespedes was again arrested by the NYPD for the charges of assault 2nd: intent to cause serious injury with a weapon, attempted murder: intentional, assault 2nd: with intent to cause serious physical injury, assault 2nd: intent to cause physical injury with weapon/instrument, assault 3rd: with intent to cause physical injury, criminal possession weapon 4th: intent to use. On the same date, ERO deportation officers lodged a detainer with the NYPD. The detainer was not honored and Cespedes was released from the custody of the New York City Department of Correction (NYCDOC).

On Oct 12, Cespedes was again arrested by the NYPD for the charges of criminal possession of marijuana 4th: aggregate weight more than 2 ounces, and unlawful possession of marijuana 1st: ounce or more. ERO deportation officers lodged a detainer with the NYPD, but it was not honored and he was released from custody.

On Oct 16, ERO deportation officers arrested Cespedes in the Bronx, New York. He is currently detained in ICE custody pending a removal hearing before an immigration judge.