Queens Killing: Feds Slap Lawsuit On NYC For Release Of Accused Immigrant’s Documents

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a lawsuit against New York City to force the city hall to release the documents of Reeaz Khan, who has been accused of assaulting Maria Fuertes of Queens, which then resulted in the latter’s death.

According to the New York Daily News, the feds on Monday requested that a judge press NYC to provide necessary information about Khan, who is an undocumented immigrant to the United States.

While the ICE has been trying to deport Khan back to his country even before he was accused of killing 92-year-old Fuertes, the city hall has reportedly been less cooperative in terms of providing critical data about Khan.

A New York City Hall spokeswoman clarified that the ICE did request for information on Khan. However, she also reiterated that the local government reviews requests and releases data depending on the situation.

The ICE also revealed that it already issued a detainer for the Guyana-born immigrant to the New York Police Department (NYPD) last year. The feds also asked that NYC inform them promptly regarding Khan’s release.

However, the NYPD said it did not receive a detainer from the agency after Khan’s first arrest in November 2019 for assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The ICE has since provided proof of the fax it sent to the NYPD on the day it requested a detainer.

Khan was released after the first assault but six weeks after his release, he was caught on surveillance video present at the crime scene where Fuertes was found with parts of her body exposed and unconscious near her South Richmond Hill home.

The New York Times reported that ICE officials previously reiterated how Khan should not have been in the country after his first assault case. Federal authorities also argued that they have been trying to get Khan out of the country since his visa has expired two years earlier.

U.S. President Donald Trump has also been calling out NYC for its alleged refusal to cooperate with the ICE and respective immigration authorities regarding immigrants who have been accused of committing crimes.

CBS New York reported that neighbors recognized Fuertes as a “nice lady,” and she was known to collect cans around the neighborhood. She then sells the cans to purchase cat food for the cats she adopted.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio previously said that should Khan be convicted for the seven counts he has been charged with, New York City will cooperate with the feds.