An undocumented gang member, accused of attacking a first responder, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following his release by New York City officials, despite being considered a threat to public safety, according to the Department of Homeland Security on Friday.
Identified as Bryan David Tasiguano Leon, a citizen of Ecuador, he was detained by the New York Police Department on February 14 under suspicion of assaulting a first responder. Leon has a history of legal issues, including previous arrests for assault and family neglect.
Despite ICE having placed a detainer request with the NYPD for his transfer, Leon, affiliated with the Latin Kings gang, was released from custody, said the Department of Homeland Security.
After his release into the community, federal agents apprehended Leon earlier this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security. (Getty Images; Department of Homeland Security)
“New York’s sanctuary policies led to the release of this known Latin Kings gang member into the community,” remarked Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “This individual had prior arrests for assaulting a first responder and family neglect.”
Leon was taken into ICE custody on March 4 during immigration enforcement activities in New York City. He is currently detained by ICE as he awaits deportation proceedings.
Leon first illegally entered the United States around Nov. 11, 2022 through the southern border and was released into the country by the Biden administration. He was issued a final order of removal by a judge on Feb. 27, 2025.
“Not only was this illegal alien released by the Biden administration, but he was also released again by New York’s sanctuary politicians,” said Bis. “Enough is enough. Sanctuary politicians must stop releasing criminal illegal aliens back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes.”
Upon taking office in January, New York Mayor Zorhan Mamdani signed an executive order reaffirming the city’s sanctuary laws, which limits cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Mamdani’s office. On Friday, Mamdani said ICE should be abolished, calling it “rogue” and “reckless” as he faced questions about the death of an 83-year-old Air Force veteran who died after allegedly being shoved onto subway tracks by an illegal immigrant earlier this month.
“I have made clear to the president, both in our private conversations and our public conversations, about the fact that I believe that ICE is a rogue agency.”
Mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani next to Dylan Contreras, a high school student who was recently released from federal custody, speaks during a press conference at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City on March 19, 2026. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
The mayor added that he believes ICE “delivers nothing toward the furthering of the cause of public safety.”
Currently, there are 7,113 illegal immigrants in custody across New York state with an active ICE detainer. Their crimes include 148 homicides, 717 assaults, 134 burglaries, 106 robberies, 235 dangerous drug offenses, 152 weapons offenses, and 260 sexual predatory offenses, DHS said.
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