An off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent was shot in New York’s Riverside Park during an apparent robbery late Saturday. Police believe the incident was random and not targeted due to his job.
Miguel Mora, 21, is a key suspect. He was shot during the confrontation and was taken to the hospital but is expected to be arrested soon. NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch explained that Mora was seen on CCTV footage and was identified as the shooter.
The agent was relaxing by the water when two men, riding a scooter, approached him. One of them threatened him with a gun, prompting the agent to respond with his own firearm. Unfortunately, he sustained injuries to his face and arm during the exchange.
Mora has a history with law enforcement and is reportedly in the U.S. illegally after entering through Arizona earlier this year. He’s been arrested multiple times, including for violent offenses, and has active warrants. This latest incident has added attempted murder to his record.
The shooting has sparked discussions about immigration and crime. President Trump referred to Mora as an “Illegal Alien Monster” and criticized current immigration policies. However, studies indicate that undocumented immigrants actually commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens. For instance, research from Texas in December 2020 found that undocumented individuals have lower felony arrest rates compared to legal residents.
Moreover, a 2022 report by NBC News highlighted that there was no migrant-driven crime wave in major U.S. cities, despite some notorious incidents. This statistic raises questions about the broader narrative surrounding immigration.
Despite the heated debates, many experts argue that the data consistently shows undocumented populations often exhibit lower crime rates. As law enforcement continues its crackdown on undocumented immigrants, it remains crucial to consider the statistics and not just isolated incidents.
Source link