Essex County, New Jersey Sanctuary Politicians Enact New Law Refusing to Notify ICE Law Enforcement Before Releasing Criminal Illegal Aliens from Jail

 

These policies will make New Jersey less safe by releasing criminals to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after Essex County, New Jersey sanctuary politicians passed a resolution declaring that the county will no longer honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers for illegal aliens in their jails and will instead release criminals back into New Jersey communities.

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution restricting the use of county property and resources to assist with civil immigration enforcement activities. These sanctuary policies were officially implemented on July 9.

Going forward, these changes will negatively impact ICE’s ability to conduct direct custody transfers from Essex County Jail, and will require additional operational resources to locate and arrest criminal illegal aliens. ICE law enforcement will have to increase their reliance on field enforcement actions and additional resources in order to protect American citizens in Essex County from public safety threats.

“Sanctuary policies like this make New Jersey communities less safe,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “In Essex County, instead of notifying ICE law enforcement, sanctuary politicians will RELEASE criminals from jails into New Jersey communities. When sanctuary politicians refuse to cooperate with ICE law enforcement, they put the safety of the public and our officers at risk. It also requires us to have a larger presence to arrest criminals at large instead of in the controlled setting of a jail.”

Below are some examples of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE in Essex County:

Carlos Humberto Perez-Soza, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for sex assault – force / coercion.

Nazarjon Gayratjonovich Abdukahorov, a criminal illegal alien from Uzbekistan, convicted for lure/entice child by various means. Abdukahorov is a registered sex offender.

Carlos Capurro, a criminal illegal alien from Peru, convicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child less than 13-years-old and hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Johanns Cuadros-Almanza, a criminal illegal alien from Peru and registered sex offender, convicted for aggravated criminal sexual contact.

New Jersey Man Arrested for Local Fentanyl Overdose

 

A Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian C. Leardo and U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Indolfo Hernandez, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on July 10, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in January 2024, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Texas and neighboring regions. The organization, based in Houston and operating within the Eastern District of Texas, was led by Hernandez. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 16 kilograms of methamphetamine that had been distributed by Hernandez and his coconspirators. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; DEA Beaumont HIDTA Task Force Group D23; Houston Police Department; Liberty County Sheriff’s Office; and Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

Hernandez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

GrowNYC - Ways to Celebrate 50 Years of Greenmarket

 

In the summer of 1976, Greenmarket co-founders Barry Benepe and Bob Lewis saw three simultaneous crises facing New York City:

• Lack of public community spaces in the city.

• Abysmal quality of produce at the grocery store.

• The accelerating disappearance of regional farmland.

They dreamed up a simple idea: Let’s bring back the farmers market to New York City!

Urban farmers markets were unheard of at the time, but 50 years ago this week, Barry and Bob were preparing to open the very first Greenmarket on 59th Street and Second Avenue. Unbeknownst the them their actions would forever alter how New Yorkers eat, cook, and shop for local produce.

Why it matters: Today GrowNYC operates 45 Greenmarkets across the city—the largest year-round farmers market network in the U.S.—and the urban farmers’ market phenomenon has taken the country by storm as eaters nationwide have rediscovered the extraordinary flavors of food grown nearby by small farmers and producers.

Keep reading to learn more about the history and ways you can join the celebrations! 

5 Ways to Celebrate 50 years of Greenmarket 

Pictured: Opening Day at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue, July 17, 1976

 Explore Our History

Pictured: Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket in the 80s

If you’re feeling extra nostalgic this month, we invite you to dive into the past and through our archives and recent wins:

• Hear the origin story directly from Greenmarket co-founder Bob Lewis in a 6-minute, April 2025 WNYC interview.

•  Read The Rebirth of Farmers Markets in New York City a self-published from 1978.

•  Watch this 4-minute historical video GrowNYC co-created with the late Barry Benepe in 2024.

•  Read recent press coverage on Greenmarkets 50th anniversary in Edible Manhattan and Grub Street.

 Buy Your In Season Tickets

The anniversary year culminates with In Season on September 17, 2026 at The Glasshouse overlooking Bryant Park.

• Don't miss out on an evening of celebration, community support, and philanthropy!

• Buy your individual or group tickets and get ready for a night filled with farm-fresh delights, seasonal drinks, and so much more.

• Limited time offer! We're releasing a limited number of discounted Gala tickets for guests under 35.

Buy In Season Tickets

What's next: We're curating a collection of experiences to auction that capture everything we're celebrating—food, farmers, sustainability, and New York City. You can bid even if you can’t make it to the gala. Online bidding opens soon, with more auction items to come!

Preview Auction Items

Share Your Greenmarket Story

Share your favorite market moments, unforgettable experiences, or expound on how the market has impacted you over the years. Your stories will help us honor this incredible community and the people who’ve made it so special.

How to submit your story: Stories told via voice memo, archival photography, seasonal food and farm-inspired poetry, letters, essays, and other collected Greenmarket ephemera are all welcome.

Share My Greenmarket Story

Visit Your Favorite Greenmarket

And the last but most important, make time to visit your favorite market and share it with us!

• Wish us a happy birthday on social media this week by sharing your market moments, memories, meals, or favorite farmers.

Don’t forget to tag @grownycgreenmarket @grownyc for a chance to be featured on our pages.

Thank you for helping GrowNYC keep farmers farming! 

Hope House Completes Construction at 849 Crotona Park North In Crotona, The Bronx

 

Construction is complete on Hope House on Crotona Park, a six-story residential facility at 849 Crotona Park North in Crotona, The Bronx. Designed by EQ Architecture and Design and developed by the Greenburger Center for Social and Criminal Justice, the 12,000-square-foot structure contains 16 beds across eight double-occupancy rooms for adults living with serious mental illness who have been charged with felony-level crimes. The $13 million project operates as a residential Alternative to Incarceration, or ATI, offering a voluntary, court-referred program with an expected length of stay of one to two years.

The facility is reserved for eight men and eight women, with two residents sharing each room, and is staffed around the clock by residential and security personnel, with on-site clinical care. The Greenburger Center describes it as the first residential ATI model of its kind in the nation, distinguished by its use of bond-agency security authority in a voluntary program and its co-located treatment and housing. Residents can receive integrated behavioral health treatment, substance use services, peer support, vocational programming, and life-skills development within a trauma-informed setting organized around a “work-ordered day” model.

Clinical services are provided by Athena Psych, whose clinicians deliver evidence-based care on site. Financing for the $13 million development was assembled from a $5.6 million construction grant from New York State, proceeds from the federal New Markets Tax Credit program, private donations, and allocations from members of the City Council and State Legislature.

Clients enter Hope House from jail after voluntarily accepting a plea agreement in court, with the support of defense counsel, the prosecutor, and the presiding judge. In essence, the model diverts people whose untreated mental illness contributed to their charges into supervised treatment rather than a jail or prison term.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this month to mark the opening, drawing state and city officials.

Bangladeshi National Extradited from Brazil to Face Charges for Role in Transnational Criminal Human Smuggling Organization

 

Bangladeshi national Saifullah Al-Mamun, 39, made his initial appearance in Laredo, Texas, after being extradited from Brazil on July 8. A second superseding indictment charges Al-Mamun for his role in a conspiracy that smuggled aliens from Bangladesh into the United States. 

According to court documents, Al-Mamun and his co-defendants — Mohamad Milon Hossain, 46 and Moktar Hossain, 38, both of Bangladesh — participated in a wide-ranging human smuggling operation and assisted other smugglers by facilitating the travel of scores of aliens from São Paulo, Brazil, and other locations in South America, Central America, and Mexico so that the aliens could illegally enter the United States. Al-Mamun housed aliens in São Paulo and arranged their travel, Mohamad Milon Hossain housed aliens in Tapachula, Mexico, and facilitated their transportation to Monterrey, Mexico. Moktar Hossain housed aliens in Monterrey and instructed them how to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States. Many of the aliens had difficulty safely crossing the Rio Grande River. The aliens paid as much as tens of thousands of dollars to individuals in Bangladesh to help them travel illegally to the United States. Al-Mamun was arrested in Brazil on Oct. 31, 2019.

Mohamad Milon Hossain pleaded guilty to his role in the operation and was sentenced to 46 months in prison. Moktar Hossain also pleaded guilty to his role in the operation and was also sentenced to 46 months in prison.

Al-Mamun is charged with conspiracy to bring an alien to the United States, multiple counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain, and conspiracy to encourage and induce an alien to enter the United States. If convicted on all counts of bringing an alien to the United States for financial gain, he faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. If convicted of conspiracy to bring and/or conspiracy to encourage and induce and alien to enter the United States, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz for the Southern District of Texas; and Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix made the announcement.

HSI Phoenix is investigating this case with assistance from the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border and Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Counter Network Division, HSI Laredo, HSI Brasilia, HSI Bogota, , U.S. Embassy in Brazil including the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Brazil Federal Police, Colombian National Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Brazil. The Justice Department thanks its Brazilian law enforcement counterparts for their assistance in this matter.

The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated prosecutors from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 464 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 414 U.S. convictions; and more than 360 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.

Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Cortez for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Governor Hochul Urges Caution Ahead of Severe Thunderstorms and Extreme Heat

Enhanced Risk for Severe Thunderstorms Across the North Country Beginning Tuesday Afternoon

Extreme Heat Forecast Across the State Tuesday and Wednesday

New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare ahead of severe thunderstorms set to impact the North Country and statewide extreme heat beginning Tuesday. For parts of the North Country, there is an Enhanced Risk, meaning a greater likelihood, for severe thunderstorms beginning Tuesday afternoon, continuing into Tuesday night. Damaging winds, large hail and the possibility of tornadoes could occur with these storms. Additionally, Heat Advisories are currently in effect for areas across the state for Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We’re New Yorkers, and we’re no strangers to adverse weather, but it’s crucial to plan ahead to keep yourself and your loved ones safe,” Governor Hochul said. “This mix of heat and storms can bring about a variety of dangers, but keeping these safety tips in mind can help you be prepared when the weather comes. Stay hydrated in the heat and know where your local cooling centers are should you need them if your power goes out. Be mindful of your forecast and stay safe.”

Extreme heat is dangerous and is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke (sun stroke), heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Learn more about heat-related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

New Yorkers should closely monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New Yorkers should also ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They should also sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.

New York State agencies are taking the actions and making recommendations to respond to the forecasted heat. These include:

 To Report an Electric Outage, Call:

• Central Hudson: Electric: 800-527-2714 or Gas: 800-942-8274
• Con Ed: Electric: 800-752-6633 or Gas: 800-752-6633
• Corning Gas: 800-834-2134
• Liberty Utilities (St. Lawrence Gas) Corp.: 800-673-3301
• National Fuel Gas: 1-800-444-3130
• National Grid:
• Electric: 800-867-5222
• Long Island (gas): 1-800-490-0045
• Metro NYC (gas): 1-718-643-4050
• Upstate (gas): 1-800-892-2345
• NYSEG: Electric: 800-572-1131 or Gas: 800-572-1121
• O&R: Electric: 877-434-4100 or Gas: 800-533-5325
• PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075
• RG&E: Electric: 800-743-1701 or Gas: 800-743-1702

Mayor Mamdani Activates Heat Emergency Plan as City Prepares for Midweek Heat

 

Hundreds of cooling centers will open Tuesday and Wednesday — find the nearest location at finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/  

 

Street outreach will intensify under Code Red, with 21 COOL vans deployed to support vulnerable neighbors

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) today urged New Yorkers to prepare for dangerous heat expected Tuesday and Wednesday. 

 

Temperatures are expected to feel like the upper 90s Tuesday, with the heat index climbing into the low 100s Wednesday before cooler weather arrives later this week. While this stretch of heat is expected to be less severe and shorter than the historic heat wave earlier this month, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Wednesday. 

 

New Yorkers are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day and spend time in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. Residents should check on vulnerable neighbors — especially older adults, people with disabilities and people with chronic health conditions — and learn to recognize the warning signs of heat illness. Anyone experiencing hot, dry skin, difficult breathing, a rapid heartbeat, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, nausea or vomiting should call 911 immediately. 

 

“This heat may not reach the levels we experienced earlier this month, but it can still be deadly,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Every New Yorker should make a plan today. If you have air conditioning, turn it on. If you don’t, head to one of the hundreds of cooling centers opening across the city, visit a pool or cool off at a spray shower. And look out for your neighbors, especially seniors. If you see someone outside who appears to be in distress, call 311 so we can get help to them.” 

  

“As we stressed just two weeks ago during our city’s record-breaking temperatures, high heat can be life threatening,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Temperatures forecasted this week will feel above 100 degrees, so New Yorkers should be vigilant about staying safe and cool. Make sure that you drink lots of water, use air conditioning or get to an air-conditioned space and check on vulnerable neighbors.” 

 

“Extreme heat doesn’t affect everyone equally, and that’s why our COOL vans meet New Yorkers most at risk directly where they are,” said Dr. Ted Long, Senior Vice President and System Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “COOL’s clinical teams bring cooling supplies directly to you, and can then immediately transport you somewhere safe. Whether you are an unhoused New Yorker on the street or an older adult that needs help at home, the COOL initiative shows that New York City will do everything in its power to help you.” 

  

Cooling Centers and Cool Options  

The City will activate hundreds of cooling centers Tuesday and Wednesday, providing free, air-conditioned spaces across the five boroughs. New Yorkers can find locations, including accessible and pet-friendly options, at finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters/ or by calling 311. Service animals are always welcome.  

 

Thousands of LinkNYC kiosks will provide real-time walking directions to the nearest cooling center within a 10-minute walk.  

  

New Yorkers can also find relief at spray showers and other cooling location by visiting on.nyc.gov/CoolItNYC.

  

The City’s roughly 50 outdoor pools are free and open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Olympic- and intermediate-sized pools will remain open until 8:30 p.m. 

   

Public beaches are free and open daily with lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming outside designated areas or when lifeguards are off duty is prohibited and extremely dangerous.  

  

Adults 18 and older can also pick up free spray caps at local firehouses to safely convert fire hydrants into sprinklers.  

   

Outreach to Vulnerable New Yorkers 

The City will activate Code Red outreach from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, expanding street canvassing to connect homeless New Yorkers with shelter, cooling centers and essential services. Shelter is available to anyone experiencing homelessness, and walk-ins are welcome. Anyone concerned about a person who may need assistance is encouraged to call 311. 

 

Twenty-one COOL vans will provide New Yorkers with wellness checks, medical care, electrolytes, sunscreen, meal — including vegetarian, kosher and halal options, transportation to cooling centers or health care facilities and visits to older adults in their homes to help them stay safe during the heat.  

 

New Yorkers can stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 and visiting nyc.gov/beattheheat for more health and safety guidance.