A number of illegal immigrants shielded from deportation by New York City's sanctuary policy and released back into the community have been later arrested for other crimes including drug, theft and assault, The Washington Times reported Friday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the department flagged 440 illegal immigrants for deportation in New York City jails from January through April. City officials were instructed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's office to release all but those accused of egregious crimes, meaning hundreds were set free.

Of those released, 40 have been rearrested for new crimes, ICE stated.

"Simply put, the politics and rhetoric in this city are putting its own communities at an unnecessary risk," said Scott Mechowski, acting field office director for ICE's deportation unit in New York.

De Blasio spokesman Matt Dhaiti said the mayor's office would "work with federal partners in the interest of public safety," but maintained they would "not to be an arm of immigration enforcement."

Legislation de Blasio signed several years ago outlined crimes considered egregious as those involving violence or use of a weapon, major drug offenses or terrorism-related activity. As long as the crime was recent, it could result in an illegal immigrant being turned over to ICE, the article explained.

The policies vary among cities that have adopted sanctuary protections for illegal immigrants. ICE officers maintain the policies often backfire because when federal officials have to look for suspected criminals on the streets, they may encounter other illegal immigrants along the way who may qualify for deportation as well.