Attorney General James Wins Lawsuit Stopping Elimination of Four Vital Federal Agencies

Court Bars Trump Administration from Dismantling Federal Agencies Supporting Libraries, Museums, Minority-Owned Businesses, Workers, and Services for the Unhoused

New York Attorney General Letitia James today won her lawsuit protecting four federal agencies from being illegally dismantled by the Trump administration. The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island today granted a motion for summary judgment brought by Attorney General James and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general. In April, Attorney General James co-led the coalition in suing the administration to stop the implementation of an Executive Order that would dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The court’s order permanently blocks the administration from eliminating these four agencies.

“The federal government’s illegal attack on these agencies threatened vital resources for workers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Attorney General James. “This is a major victory in our ongoing work to defend important services that New Yorkers rely on every day. I will keep fighting to stop the chaos and destruction of this administration’s attempts to dismantle our government.”

In April, Attorney General James and the coalition sued to stop the administration’s elimination of three federal agencies:

• IMLS, which supports museums and libraries nationwide through grantmaking, research, and policy development;
• MBDA, which promotes the growth and inclusion of minority-owned businesses through federal financial assistance programs; and
• FMCS, which promotes the peaceful resolution of labor disputes.

In May, Attorney General James and the coalition secured a preliminary injunction stopping the administration from implementing the Executive Order, which sought to dismantle these three agencies. In June, the coalition filed an amended lawsuit seeking to protect another agency targeted by the same Executive Order, USICH, which coordinates the federal government’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness nationwide.

Attorney General James and the coalition argued in the lawsuit that the Executive Order’s elimination of all four agencies violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by attempting to override Congress. The president does not have the power to unilaterally eliminate federal agencies created and funded by Congress, and he cannot arbitrarily and suddenly cease agency programs. In its decision on the motion for summary judgment, the District Court sided with Attorney General James and the coalition, ruling that the administration’s actions were unlawful, and barred the administration from taking any future actions to carry out the Executive Order’s elimination of the four agencies.

This lawsuit is led by Attorney General James and the attorneys general of Rhode Island and Hawaii. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

STATEMENT FROM BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARCEL D. CLARK ON CONVICTIONS IN BRONX DAYCARE MURDER TRIAL

 

Today, a Bronx jury returned guilty verdicts of second-degree Murder, and Assault against the operator of a daycare and her husband in the fentanyl poisoning death of 22-month-old Nicholas Domenici and the exposure of three other children suffered on September 15, 2023. 

Grei Mendez and her husband, Felix Herrera Garcia ran an illegal narcotics operation out of the El Divino Nino daycare on Morris Avenue and showed such depraved indifference that they hid fentanyl under the floor where the children took naps. 

Nothing we can do will bring back Nicholas. His death has torn a hole in the hearts of his mother, father and siblings, and saddened the entire Bronx community. I hope that these convictions will give the family a sense of justice and help them to gain peace and closure.

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

“I welcome President Trump’s renewed commitment today to New York’s success and his acknowledgment of our shared priorities: lowering costs and improving public safety.

“I also appreciate that the President rejected efforts by members of his own party to weaponize the mayor-elect’s background, faith, and identity for political gain, including the Islamophobic attacks labeling him a ‘jihadist.’ There’s no place for rhetoric like that in our politics or in New York.

“I look forward to working with President Trump and Mayor-Elect Mamdani to deliver for New Yorkers. But as I've always said, I’ll work with the President when it benefits New Yorkers, and I’ll fight like hell when our values are at stake.”

 

Housing Lottery Launches for 1049 Washington Avenue in Morrisania, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1049 Washington Avenue, an 11-story residential building in Morrisania, The Bronx. Designed by ND Architecture & Design and developed by Hello Living, the structure yields 104 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 73 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $104,846 to $227,500. 

Amenities include a garage with assigned parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations, bike storage, a shared laundry room, elevator, recycling center, and an outdoor terrace. Units are equipped with energy-efficient appliances, air conditioning, smart controls for heating and cooling, cable or satellite TV, and intercoms. Rent includes all utilities.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are 37 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,058 for incomes ranging from $104,846 to $227,500, and 36 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,366 for incomes ranging from $115,406 to $227,500.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than January 23, 2026.

160 Van Cortlandt Avenue Passes Halfway Mark in Kingsbridge, The Bronx

 

Construction is above the halfway mark on 160 Van Cortlandt Park South, an eight-story all-affordable residential building in Kingsbridge, The Bronx. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Tishman Speyer, the 279,000-square-foot structure will yield 339 rental affordable rental apartments in studio- to three-bedroom layouts, including a unit for the live-in super. The property is bounded by Van Cortlandt Park South to the north, West 239th Street to the south, and Putnam Avenue West to the east.

The superstructure has been constructed to the fifth story and the levels below have been fully framed out with CMU blocks. Some of the windows have also begun installation on the lower floors.

160 Van Cortlandt Park South. Photo by Michael Young.

According to the below site plan, the interior of the structure’s footprint will be activated as a 70-vehicle parking lot accessible by an entrance on West 239th Street.

Fifty-three of the homes will provide supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals and 285 units will be designated affordable housing for households earning between 40 percent to 105 percent of area median income (AMI). Resident and community amenities include a shared laundry room, a fitness room, two recreation rooms, and a rooftop terrace.

TS Communities closed on approximately $222 million in financing via tax-exempt bonds, subsidy loans from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and low-income housing tax credit equity. The Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs Alternatives will provide the letter of credit, and Hudson Housing Capital will provide an equity investment from the purchase of low-income housing tax credits.

The nearest subway from the development is the 1 train at the elevated 238th Street station to the west.

160 Van Cortlandt Park South is being built to comply with Enterprise Green sustainable design standards. Construction is expected to be completed in February 2027, as noted on site.

VCJC News & Notes 11/21/2025

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Note

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders

1. Shabbos schedule
   
   
   Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
   Here are the times you need:  
   Shabbos Candles Friday 11/21/25 @ 4:15 pm  (Yes, we are back on standard time!)
   Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
   Shabbos Ends Saturday 11/22/25 @ 5:18 pm

   If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.

   Benzi Panush will sponsor a kiddush in honor this week’s congregant’s birthdays. Join us for the services and the kiddush.
   

2. Shabbos parsha

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Parashat Toldot 5786 / פָּרָשַׁת תּוֹלְדוֹת

   22 November 2025 / 2 Kislev 5786

   Parashat Toldot is the 6th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.

   Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9

   Toldot (“Generations”) opens with the births of Isaac and Rebecca’s twins, Jacob and Esau. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob in exchange for soup. Isaac and Rebecca travel to Gerar, where Isaac makes a peace treaty with King Abimelech. Isaac gives Jacob the blessing meant for Esau, and Jacob runs away to his uncle Laban. [1]

3. Upcoming Virtual Tour of Judaica at The Metropolitan Museum of Art!

4. [This is from a post to the Riverdale Shuls group.]

   Let’s connect with our heritage and each other through beautiful and meaningful symbols of Jewish culture in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

   
   

   This virtual tour will include works featured on our in-person tour, along with rare treasures from the Judaica collection that are not currently on display.

   
   

   Feel uplifted and strengthened as we celebrate our enduring resilience, devotion to Judaism, and the vibrant customs that have enriched Jewish life throughout time.

   Two times available:

   
   

   Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 pm EST

   
   

   Friday, November 21, 11:15 am EST

   
   
   Register at:

   https://forms.gle/YHN3kWo78h9fpVUp7

   Lauren R. Perlman, M.S. Ed

   Founder/Director, Mummies and Masterpieces  
   w (224) 707-0067

   c (847) 220-0325

   lauren.perlman@mummiesandmasterpieces.com

   www.mummiesandmasterpieces.com

   Alternate email mummiesmasterpiece@me.com

   
   

5. Please help with information about buildings

   As part of rebuilding the membership and congregation, the Board of Trustees would like your help. There are a lot of either new or renovated buildings being put up in our catchment area. We would like to seek the cooperation of the owners / developers of those properties in publicizing these opportunities to live near an orthodox synagogue.  If you are aware of any of these buildings, please provide what information you can about them.  This could include the address, any contact information that might be posted, and any information about the building itself (size, type, etc.). Additionally, if you are aware of vacancies in existing buildings or of houses for sale, please let us know about that as well.

   
   

6. An Appeal from the Met Council for SNAP help

   
   

   See the VCJC blog post from the Met Council’s announcement.

   
   

7. Thanksgiving 11/27

   The office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving. Happy Holiday!

   
   

Our mailing address is:
Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463 

ICE Deports MS-13 Terrorist Gang Leader Wanted for Murder in El Salvador

Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the days of the world’s criminals gaming the system to remain in our country are over  

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston deported a criminal illegal El Salvadoran MS-13 terrorist gang leader and wanted murderer from the United States on November 3 and turned him over to Salvadoran authorities. ICE originally made the arrest in February 2024, but the Biden administration allowed the criminal to try and game our immigration system by claiming fear of returning to El Salvador where he had an outstanding warrant for murder.

Wilmer Alexy Garcia-Manzanarez also committed several heinous crimes in the United States, including burglary, menacing/intimidation with a weapon, driving under the influence of alcohol, property damage, and driving without a license.

“The Biden administration let this MS-13 gang member and wanted murderer claim fear of returning to El Salvador despite having a final order of removal and three prior deportations. Of course a wanted murdered does not want to return to his country to face justice for his crimes,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, this criminal illegal alien is OUT of our country. The days of the world’s criminals indefinitely remaining in our country over.” 

The removal of Garcia-Manzanarez comes shortly after DHS launched Operation Patriot and Operation Patriot 2.0 in Massachusetts, a sanctuary state. The worst of the worst arrested during these operations include rapists, murderers, kidnappers, and other terrorist gang members. Shockingly, many of these dangerous criminals were released by local authorities thanks to absurd sanctuary policies.

U.S. Border Patrol arrested Garcia-Manzanarez after he illegally entered the United States through the Canadian border March 6, 2001 and was released into the country. On March 18, 2002, an immigration judge ordered Garcia-Manzanarez removed from the United States to El Salvador.

Between January 2007 and October 2012, ICE officers removed Garcia-Manzanarez from the United States to El Salvador three times. He chose to commit a felony and illegally re-enter the United States a fourth time.

Authorities in El Salvador issued a warrant for Garcia-Manzanarez' arrest. In January 2020, Interpol issued a public Red Notice for the apprehension of Garcia-Manzanarez. Officers from ICE Boston arrested Garcia-Manzanarez in Foxboro, Massachusetts on February 18, 2024.

Fentanyl Distributor Connected to 2 Overdose Deaths Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison

 

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAQWON GRAHAM, also known as “Seagull” and “Energy,” 31, of Ansonia, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 130 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for a fentanyl trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stamford Police Department identified Graham as a large-scale fentanyl distributor in and around Fairfield County.  Investigators also connected Graham’s drug trafficking activities to an overdose death of a male victim in Branford in March 2023, and an overdose death of a female victim in Shelton in October 2024.  In January and February 2025, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl mixed with xylazine from Graham.

Graham was arrested on February 26, 2025, in Stamford after investigators coordinated a purchase of a large quantity of fentanyl and found him in possession of approximately 400 grams of the drug.  A subsequent search of his person revealed additional quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine.

Graham has been detained since his arrest.  On July 23, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.