The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday disclosed the names of six detainees, deemed the ‘worst of the worst,’ being held at the Federal Plaza in New York City. This announcement came after a day of high-tension protests and a sit-in at the ICE facility by Democratic lawmakers and activists. The demonstrators, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, had occupied the 10th floor of the federal building, demanding access to ICE offices and the release of detainees. The sit-in led to a lockdown of the facility, as ICE officers secured doors with locks and zip ties following attempts by protesters to enter the premises. Additional security measures were also deployed to manage the situation.
In a statement, DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the protest, stating that the individuals involved, including Lander, obstructed law enforcement and endangered both DHS personnel and detainees. She noted that Lander had been ‘unannounced’ with agitators and media, causing a scene by asserting his intent to remain until detainees were released. McLaughlin further explained that the Federal Protective Service had coordinated with the NYPD, resulting in 71 arrests, including Lander, two New York State senators, and nine New York State Assembly members for their involvement in the protest. According to McLaughlin, the detainees were high-risk individuals, including MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers, and criminals convicted of illegal possession of weapons and driving under the influence. She also emphasized the risks these individuals pose to public safety, stating that ICE officers put their lives on the line to protect American citizens.
The released detainees include Vladimir Kuca, an Albanian national convicted of drug trafficking in Switzerland and handed over to ICE by the FBI. David Abrego Alvarado and Juan Hernandez Saravia, Salvadoran nationals confirmed as MS-13 gang members, are among those identified. Alvarado had been removed from the U.S. in 2017 but returned illegally in 2023 with a DWI conviction. Saravia has multiple convictions, including three DUIs and possession of weapons, having been removed from the U.S. in 2007. Juan Enrique Pena Soriano, a Dominican national, was arrested by the DEA for possession of a controlled substance and turned over to ICE. Asker Aslanovich Khutov, a Russian national, overstayed his visa and has a final order of removal from an immigration judge. Miguel Ramirez, a Mexican national, was charged with restricted consumption and had a prior conviction for resisting arrest. These individuals, according to DHS, represent the most dangerous illegal aliens currently in custody.