A recent assault on police officers in New York City’s Times Square, allegedly orchestrated by a group of migrants, many of whom were released on bail, has ignited a political controversy in the midst of the US election year.
Approximately 12 suspects are said to have been involved in the incident over the weekend, with six already apprehended. Surprisingly, five of them were granted bail, while the remaining suspects are still evading authorities, except for one individual who is currently in custody. This event has fueled heated discussions on immigration, a pressing topic leading up to the November 2024 US general election.
Since 2021, over 6.3 million migrants have been reported to enter the US illegally, setting record highs. The surge raises concerns about its potential impact on the re-election prospects of President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
The disturbance occurred on a Saturday evening when three officers from the New York Police Department sought to disperse a disorderly group of men outside a migrant shelter in Midtown Manhattan. CCTV footage captured the moment the officers were attacked when attempting to arrest one of the men, resulting in minor injuries.
As the controversy surrounding the Times Square incident escalated, some Democrats have joined Republicans in advocating for the deportation of the suspects. Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat from New York, declared on Thursday that authorities should apprehend all suspects and send them back, emphasizing the sanctity of not assaulting law enforcement officers.
Assaulting a police officer constitutes a federal crime in the US and can be grounds for deportation. Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, representing Staten Island, criticized the disrespect shown to laws and law enforcement by individuals housed by taxpayers.
In response to the incident, Republicans in New York are urging the governor to deploy National Guard troops to the US borders with Canada and Mexico to help curb the influx of migrants. The New York Police Department has also expressed frustration over the situation.
Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association, the largest police union in New York, questioned the release of the other suspects. Yohenry Brito, a 24-year-old migrant accused of involvement in the attack, remains in jail, with a judge deciding on Thursday to hold him on $15,000 bail for second-degree assault and obstructing governmental administration. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office explained that the release of other suspects was due to ongoing evidence gathering. According to law enforcement sources, four of the accused have reportedly fled on a bus bound for California.
