Hundreds of thousands of new arrivals in the United States, mainly adult men, have crossed the southern border and dispersed throughout the country, including New York City, where some have become involved in criminal activities.
Despite comprising a small fraction of the migrant population, a portion of these individuals are linked to a pattern of robberies targeting women, as well as organized crime rings like Tren de Aragua (TdA) seeking to establish roots in the city. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban emphasized that while migrant-related crime has surged, it does not represent the majority of newcomers striving to build better lives in New York.
Many suspects reside in migrant shelters, blending in with asylum seekers and migrants, and often lack identifiable information, resembling what Commissioner Caban described as “ghosts.” These individuals, sometimes with no phones or social media presence, inhabit former hotels like the Roosevelt Hotel and the Row NYC hotel, now repurposed as shelters.
Amidst concerns about crime, families with children can be observed navigating the area, juxtaposed with groups of men loitering near shelter entrances.
As the NYPD addresses criminal elements, concerns mount over the emergence of TdA, originating from Venezuelan prisons and expanding its operations into the United States. TdA members, associated with violent robberies and assaults, pose a new challenge to law enforcement.
Despite recent declines, robberies in New York City have seen an uptick, with the NYPD attributing some of the rise to TdA and other suspected criminals residing in migrant shelters. Police efforts include increased visibility in affected areas and crackdowns on illegal street markets suspected of selling stolen goods, as well as monitoring social media for gang-related activity.
