NYC Democrats Block ICE From Detaining Illegal Alien Accused of Randomly Setting Apartment Building on Fire That Killed Four People While He Sipped Beer
New York City Democrats are blocking ICE from detaining an illegal alien accused of randomly setting an apartment building on fire that killed four people and injured seven.
38-year-old Roman Amatitla, an illegal alien from Mexico, set a Queens apartment on fire last month.
He was reportedly sipping a beer while he watched the building burn and people jump from windows.
Amatitla was arrested last week and charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and first-degree arson.
The DHS said an ICE detainer for Amatitila was denied.
The Democrats are now protecting this monster.
“On April 14, ICE requested the NYCDOC not release this monster from jail back into American communities,” the DHS said.
“However, because of New York’s sanctuary politicians, the NYCDOC told ICE that they will REFUSE to cooperate,” they said.
ICE ARREST DETAINER DENIED.
On April 14, ICE requested the NYCDOC not release this monster from jail back into American communities.
However, because of New York’s sanctuary politicians, the NYCDOC told ICE that they will REFUSE to cooperate. https://t.co/3jQwPSn9Qu pic.twitter.com/zmIxMOaFH5
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 17, 2026
Fox News reported:
A Mexican national illegal alien accused of randomly setting a New York City apartment building on fire that killed four people and injured seven others, could be released back onto the streets as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials say the city is refusing a request to turn him over to immigration authorities.
Roman Ceron Amatitla, 38, of Maspeth, is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and first-degree arson after allegedly lighting a three-story Flushing building on fire March 16, which he had selected at random.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that on the day of the blaze, Amatitla entered and exited the Avery Avenue building multiple times, urinated in front of the apartments, and then went to a nearby gas station — where he bought a beer, stole a second one and took a pack of matches after refusing to pay for a lighter.
Authorities allege he then entered the apartment building for a fourth and final time, lighting a piece of paper on fire and tossing it onto trash near a stairwell.
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