A 13-year-old immigrant from Ecuador, living in a New York City shelter, stabbed a man during an attempted robbery with three masked accomplices. The crime, which took place near Times Square, has reignited criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, which critics blame for rising crime across the nation.
The attack happened Sunday night when the group approached a 23-year-old man and asked him to take their photo. When he refused, the teen and his accomplices punched him and stabbed him with a brass-knuckle knife. Police reported that the attackers tried to steal the victim’s phone but were unsuccessful.
The victim, who suffered superficial wounds, declined medical treatment. Officers later arrested the 13-year-old suspect, who resides at the Roosevelt Hotel, now serving as an immigrant shelter. The teen was charged with second-degree robbery, but this was not his first arrest. In October, he was involved in a Brooklyn subway robbery where a group held down a sleeping passenger to steal his chain.
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa has repeatedly criticized the influx of migrants into New York City, citing concerns about their immunity from prosecution. “You arrest an illegal alien, they get cut loose,” Sliwa stated earlier this year, expressing frustration with policies that enable repeat offenders.
The attack comes as juvenile crime surges in New York. NYPD Chief Michael Lipetri recently confirmed juvenile arrests are at record-high levels, raising questions about the city’s ability to manage these issues under current policies.
With President Donald Trump poised to take office in January, many Americans are hopeful his administration will prioritize border security and public safety. Incidents like this highlight the urgent need for policy changes to address crime and protect law-abiding citizens.
