NYC Mayor Defends Sanctuary Policies as Illegal Immigrant Faces Murder Charge

Mamdani escalates war on ICE, endorses anti-enforcement rally as serial criminal alien accused in subway killing

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:50pm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is doubling down on the city's sanctuary policies, denouncing ICE as a 'rogue' agency and endorsing an upcoming anti-ICE protest, even as a four-time deported illegal immigrant faces a murder charge for allegedly pushing an 83-year-old Air Force veteran onto subway tracks.

Why it matters

Mamdani's stance highlights the growing divide between local officials who want to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and federal authorities who warn that such policies endanger public safety. The case of the accused subway killer underscores concerns that sanctuary cities may be shielding dangerous criminals from deportation.

The details

At a press conference, Mamdani called for the abolition of ICE, claiming its presence instills fear in immigrant communities. His remarks came just days after 34-year-old Honduran national Bairon Posada-Hernandez, a four-time deported illegal immigrant, was charged with murdering 83-year-old Air Force veteran Richard Williams by shoving him onto subway tracks. Despite Posada-Hernandez's extensive criminal history, it remains unclear if he will be turned over to ICE due to New York's sanctuary policies.

  • On March 28, 2026, Mamdani held a press conference criticizing ICE.
  • On March 24, 2026, Posada-Hernandez allegedly murdered Richard Williams in a New York City subway station.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is escalating the city's war on federal immigration enforcement and endorsing anti-ICE protests.

Bairon Posada-Hernandez

A 34-year-old Honduran national who has been deported from the U.S. four times and is now charged with murdering an 83-year-old Air Force veteran in a New York City subway station.

Richard Williams

An 83-year-old Air Force veteran who was allegedly murdered by Posada-Hernandez in a New York City subway station.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that has confirmed Posada-Hernandez's four prior deportations and is calling on New York to not shield him from immigration enforcement.

No Kings NYC

The group organizing an upcoming anti-ICE protest in Manhattan that Mamdani has endorsed.

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What they’re saying

“I've also been public about my belief that ICE is an entity that should be abolished, and that is critically important in our city, where we've seen too many New Yorkers living in fear of even going to what would otherwise be routine immigration check-ins.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“Posada-Hernandez is a serial criminal and four-time deported illegal alien who NEVER should have been able to walk our streets and harm innocent Americans. He is now facing murder charges. We are calling on New York sanctuary politicians to not release this murderer. Please join us in praying for Mr. Williams' family, friends, and loved ones.”

— Department of Homeland Security

What’s next

It remains unclear if Posada-Hernandez will be turned over to ICE for deportation due to New York's sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local officials who want to limit immigration enforcement and federal authorities who warn that such policies endanger public safety, especially when serial criminal aliens are able to avoid deportation and commit violent crimes.