ICE sues NYC after detainer ignored for illegal immigrant who later ‘murdered & sex assaulted 92-year-old cat lady’ – The Sun

THE federal government is suing New York City for information about an undocumented man who allegedly murdered a 92-year-old woman.

Federal prosecutors asked a court Monday to force the city to provide intel and documents related to Reeaz Khan, the 21-year-old accused of killing Maria Fuertes on January 10.

A filing by the US Attorney's office in Brooklyn obtained by the New York Daily News argues that ICE has "broad, undoubted power over the subject of immigration and the status of aliens," which gives them legal authority to access city records.

Agency officials blamed Fuertes' death on New York's "sanctuary city" policy, which prohibits police and city employees from questioning people about their immigration status.

"Clearly the politicians care more about criminal illegal aliens than the citizens they are elected to serve and protect," said Thomas Decker, field office director for ICE removal operations.

ICE had been trying to deport the Guyanese national for months before he attacked the beloved "cat lady" in Queens – but the agency claims the city ignored their requests for help.

Khan entered the US in October 2016 and had overstayed his visitor's visa, which expired the following March, federal prosecutors said.

Last November, ICE issued a detainer for Khan to the NYPD after he was arrested for assaulting his father and asked that they city notify the agency if and when he was released.

According to the filing, the Guyanese national was instead released without bail and without notifying ICE.

Six weeks later, he allegedly strangled Fuertes to death and was caught at the crime scene on surveillance video.

ICE then followed up with a second detainer and served the city with subpoenas requesting information on his case.

A City Hall spokeswoman told the Daily News that the city doesn't categorically deny ICE's requests for info, but reviews them on a case by case basis.

Khan was indicted on murder and sexual assault charges last week in Fuertes' killing.

He's now behind bars awaiting trial for his case, according to the newspaper.

However, the feds said they still want the information "to determine whether Khan may enter, reenter, reside in, or pass through the United States, and to determine whether he is subject to detention under immigration laws," court docs said.

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