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An illegal migrant accused of setting a Queens building ablaze and sipping beer as four people burned to death — including a 3-year-old girl — is among a string of accused criminals New York has refused to hand over to ICE, federal officials say.
As The Post exclusively reported Monday, New York authorities have rejected more than 16,000 ICE detainers involving migrants accused or convicted of more than 52,000 crimes, including homicide, kidnapping and sex offenses.
Mexican national Roman Ceron Amatitla, 38, allegedly deliberately torched an occupied building in Flushing on March 16, killing four people in what Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called an “act of mass murder.”
Amatitla faces eight counts of second-degree murder and a first-degree arson charge. He is being held without bail and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
However, DHS claims that New York City Department of Correction officials refused an April request to cooperate with ICE if and when he is released.
Federal officials also identified 10 other criminal illegal migrants who they say were all recently released by New York authorities despite ICE detainers.
Reivert Jose Urbina-Moreno
The Venezuelan was arrested by NYPD in December 2024 on assault, robbery and firearm charges. He was convicted of assault but released.
Felix Alva-Nava
A Mexican national, he was charged with second-degree robbery causing injury in March 2025. He was subsequently convicted of assault but released despite ICE’s request.
Brandon Ayala
The Mexican national had a previous robbery conviction when he was arrested for assault in June 2024.
Merlin Jose Gonzalez Garcia,
The Venezuelan was convicted of burglary and had previous arrests for theft, trespassing, resisting police and drug offenses. He was arrested again in November 2025 on grand larceny, burglary-tool and drug charges before being released despite an ICE detainer.
Edward Clement Jr.
A St. Lucian national with a larceny conviction and previous arrests for robbery, vehicle theft and fraud. He was charged in February 2026 with assault, unlawful imprisonment and obstructing breathing or blood circulation, but was set free.
Jose Orellana
The Honduran national was previously convicted of assault, burglary, larceny, vehicle theft and illegal re-entry, among other offenses. He was arrested again in April 2026 on theft-related charges before being released despite ICE’s request.
Yefri Julian Mejia-Martinez,
A Honduran with previous arrests for burglary, larceny, drugs and resisting police, he was charged in July 2026 with robbery and burglary causing injury but let go despite a detainer.
Sergio Daniel Gutierrez
The Nicaraguan had previous convictions for grand larceny, burglary, possession of stolen property and disorderly conduct. He was arrested again in August 2026 on a stolen-property charge before being released despite ICE’s request.
Wilson Heliodor Ortega Lizano
An Ecuadorian with previous arrests for assault, menacing, harassment and theft, he was charged in July 2026 with assault and menacing with a weapon, but released.
Dilverson Javier Ruiz Agreda,
The Venezuelan was previously convicted of grand larceny and arrested for assault, stolen property and drug offenses. He was charged with burglary in September 2025, then set free despite an ICE detainer.
