Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has rearrested a Dominican Republic national accused of heinous child sex crimes after New York authorities released him despite a federal detainer request. The man, who had been ordered removed from the United States years earlier, was taken into custody again this month in what ICE says underscores the dangers of sanctuary state policies.
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Previously Ordered Deportation
ICE identified the suspect as Robert Reid Mendez Jimenez, a Dominican Republic citizen who has been unlawfully present in the United States. Court records show that an immigration judge had issued a removal order against him in 2018, but he was never deported. Officials say his unresolved immigration status allowed him to remain in the country for years.
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Arrested on Child Abuse Charges
Earlier in 2025, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) arrested Jimenez on multiple charges, including engaging in sexual conduct with a child younger than 11. The case drew attention due to the severity of the allegations, but despite his arrest, ICE was unable to assume custody immediately.
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Release Under Sanctuary Policy
Federal authorities said they had lodged a detainer request asking the NYPD to hold Jimenez until ICE officers could take over custody. However, New York’s sanctuary laws prohibit most cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. As a result, local officials released him back into the community, a move ICE argues jeopardized public safety.
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ICE Condemns Local Decision
“This case shows the real cost of ignoring ICE detainers: Violent offenders walk free, and public safety is put at risk,” ICE official Ruben Perez said in a statement. He praised his deportation officers for locating Jimenez after his release, crediting their swift response with getting “a dangerous predator” off the streets.
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Now in Federal Custody
Jimenez was tracked down by ICE on August 13 and taken into custody. Officials confirmed that federal immigration authorities now detain him and will remain there pending removal proceedings. ICE has not provided a timeline for his deportation, but emphasized that his case reflects broader challenges with sanctuary state policies.