Fixing New York City’s Sanctuary-City Laws in Light of the Horrific Coney Island Rape

The recent heinous rape in Coney Island, where Daniel Davon-Bonilla, a repeat offender who’d previously served time for a similar crime, allegedly sexually assaulted another woman, underscores the grave consequences of New York City’s sanctuary-city laws.

Despite an ICE detainer, these laws prevented the NYPD from cooperating with federal officials to deport him, allowing this predator to remain on our streets.

As NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell asked, “When will our sanctuary city laws be amended to allow us to notify federal authorities regarding the deportation of non-citizens convicted of violent crimes? Failing to act enables individuals like Daniel Davon-Bonilla to continue victimizing women in our city.”

The city’s Charter Revision Commission’s recent decision to exclude a proposal on sanctuary-city status from the upcoming ballot is not just disappointing; it is a dangerous oversight that ignores the pressing security concerns of New Yorkers.

As a member of the City Council Common Sense Caucus, I’ve been a vocal advocate for reevaluating our sanctuary-city policies in light of the increasing security threats our city faces.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the voices of countless New Yorkers urging change and even Mayor Adams agreeing changes are needed, the commission, which is responsible for reviewing and proposing changes to the City Charter, chose to sidestep this critical issue.

Public sentiment has been clear.

Numerous surveys and community testimonies indicate a growing concern over the impacts of sanctuary-city policies on public safety and resources.

A Quinnipiac University poll shows that seven out of 10 voters view the arrival of an excessive number of migrants in New York City as a crisis, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

A recent CBS News poll indicates that nearly two in three Americans support the idea of a government program to deport undocumented immigrants.

These sentiments surely underscore the need to reconsider sanctuary-city policies, which many see as hindering effective law enforcement and contributing to a lack of accountability for those who violate laws.

Yet the Charter Revision Commission opted to focus on less urgent matters, disregarding the testimony of many who showed up to voice their concerns and the hundreds of written testimonies they received urging them to place this issue on the ballot.

In June, the Common Sense Caucus introduced legislation to repeal the city’s four key sanctuary statutes.

These serve as a shield for those who pose real threats to our safety.

Since President Biden ended the Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims were processed, and reinstated “catch and release,” which allows some individuals apprehended for immigration violations to be released while they await a hearing, millions have poured through our borders, overwhelming our immigration system and placing an immense burden on our city’s resources.

Our caucus met with officials from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement New York Field Office several times over the past few years.

Each meeting has underscored the gravity of the situation: The number of individuals reporting to ICE has increased dramatically, and it is reasonable to assume that many more do not report, slipping through the cracks of our overwhelmed system.

With approximately 2 million people on the terror watch list, the risk to our city is undeniable.

The tragedy of 9/11 taught us the devastating consequences of poor information sharing and lax security measures.

Yet, despite these lessons, sanctuary laws continue to create barriers between city agencies and federal entities like Homeland Security and ICE.

The migrant crisis has brought these issues to the forefront.

Over 204,000 migrants have entered our intake system since the spring of 2022, with more than 66,000 currently in our care.

The financial burden is staggering, with an estimated $12 billion projected to be spent over the coming fiscal years.

This situation is not just a security threat, but also an economic crisis, and it is our duty as leaders to act decisively to protect our city and its residents.

City Hall must prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens above all else.

The exclusion of a sanctuary-city proposal from the ballot is a disservice to New Yorkers who deserve the opportunity to voice their opinions on this critical issue.

It’s a stark reminder of the disconnect between government and the people.

The Charter Revision Commission failed to listen to the people.

Council Member Robert Holden (D) represents District 30 in Queens.