In a fiery showdown that exposed the dangerous consequences of sanctuary policies, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) tore into New York Governor Kathy Hochul for her state’s failure to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Tompkins County released a violent illegal alien—Jesus Romero-Hernandez—who had already been deported seven times.
Romero-Hernandez, a Mexican citizen with a long rap sheet, was freed by Tompkins County on January 28, 2025, despite ICE’s clear detainer request. Just days after his release, he assaulted a resident with a machete, choked a police officer, and violently attacked a corrections officer. This shocking sequence of events underscores the deadly risks New York’s sanctuary policies pose to law enforcement and the public alike.
At a recent hearing, Jordan didn’t hold back. He grilled Governor Hochul directly: “You said New York State cooperates with ICE in criminal cases. Governor, who’s Jesus Romero-Hernandez?” Hochul, clearly evasive, replied, “I don’t have the details on every single person in a state of 20 million people.”
Jordan pushed back, laying out the grim facts: “This guy’s a citizen of Mexico, deported seven times, came to your state, assaulted one of your residents with a machete, choked a police officer, then when he was in custody, assaulted a corrections officer.” The severity of the crimes was impossible to ignore.
He continued, “ICE finds out this guy is in your state’s custody and sends a detainer to Tompkins County Jail. The detainer notes a final order of removal—meaning a court has decided this guy needs to be deported—and biometric confirmation that the man in custody is indeed the dangerous individual.”
With facts stacking up, Jordan asked pointedly, “Any idea what Tompkins County Jail did with that detainer order? What did Tompkins County do?” Hochul’s response was a non-apology disguised as deflection: “Those descriptions you have put forth are absolutely chilling and disturbing and reprehensible to all of us. My job is to protect New York… I will tell you we cannot and will not hold Mr. Hernandez… We can’t keep him.”
That answer exposed the harsh reality of sanctuary policies in action. Jordan didn’t mince words: “That is sanctuary policy in a nutshell, and that is what your state supports, and so do these other governors. That is what is so wrong. Why the American people hate this concept.”
Highlighting the absurdity and danger of the situation, Jordan revealed that Hernandez was considered such a threat he wasn’t even allowed out of his cell while in custody—yet months ago, local authorities let him walk free on the streets of New York.
This dangerous choice not only put innocent residents and law enforcement at risk but also sent a clear message: sanctuary counties prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over the safety and security of their own citizens.
The incident is a stark reminder of the failures of Democrat-led sanctuary policies that undermine the rule of law and the efforts of federal immigration enforcement. It’s no wonder Americans are frustrated and fearful when violent criminals are released due to political agendas.
Rep. Jordan’s tough questioning laid bare the disconnect between Hochul’s words and the dangerous reality on the ground in New York. If governors continue to turn a blind eye to violent illegal aliens, the consequences will only get worse.
America deserves leaders who stand with law enforcement and protect communities—not ones who let dangerous criminals roam free and put innocent lives at risk. This showdown is a powerful call for accountability and a warning about the real costs of sanctuary policies.
