Nicaraguan Migrant Accused of Knifepoint Rape in NYC

In a troubling development, three migrants released at the U.S.-Mexico border have been charged in connection with two recent rapes in New York City. Among them is 24-year-old Daniel Davon-Bonilla, a Nicaraguan national accused of raping a woman at knifepoint in Coney Island. Despite a prior arrest for sexual assault, city officials ignored an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, a situation that has sparked outrage among local leaders. Davon-Bonilla was initially apprehended by border agents in December 2022 but was released under the “Alternatives to Detention” program. His subsequent arrest in April 2023 for alleged sex crimes prompted ICE to file a detainer with the New York Police Department (NYPD), which was also disregarded due to the city’s sanctuary policies. These policies prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, leaving communities vulnerable to individuals who should have been deported. The situation has drawn criticism from within the Democratic Party, with City Councilman Bob Holden stating that the city’s refusal to collaborate with ICE has directly contributed to public safety concerns. The NYPD's Chief of Patrol, John Chell, echoed these sentiments, questioning the effectiveness of sanctuary laws in protecting residents from violent offenders. As the city grapples with rising crime linked to migrants, the debate over sanctuary policies intensifies, raising questions about the balance between immigration reform and public safety.