Homan vows ICE will detain migrant accused of torching woman to death on NYC subway: ‘He’s not gonna get away’

Border czar Tom Homan was adamant Thursday that federal law enforcement authorities will eventually get their hands on and deport the illegal migrant accused of torching a woman to death on a New York City subway car. 

“He’s not gonna get away,” Homan said of Guatemalan national Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. 

Zapeta-Calil is currently in the custody of New York City’s Department of Corrections – at Rikers Island – but because of the Big Apple’s sanctuary city policies, the agency is refusing to turn him over to federal authorities for deportation, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. 

Homan indicated that federal agents will not be deterred despite the correction department’s refusal to honor the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer. 

“If we have to sit outside that jail every day, 24/7, we’ll get our hands on him,” Homan vowed. 

“New York City, or any other sanctuary city, is not gonna stop ICE from keeping President Trump’s promise to eradicate every criminal illegal alien, every public threat illegal alien, every national security threat illegal alien from this country,” he added. “We’ll get it done.”

“They just  – sanctuary cities make it harder and make it more dangerous, but they’re not going to stop what we’re doing.”

Under New York City’s current sanctuary status, local law enforcement is prevented from cooperating with federal immigration authorities to hold migrants in custody until they can be picked up for deportation proceedings.

ICE issued the detainer against Zapeta-Calil after his December arrest in the arson attack. 

Zapeta-Calil has been charged with murder and arson over the gruesome killing of 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, who was set on fire as she slept inside a subway car at Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue station. 

The 33-year-old migrant was previously deported from the US in June 2018. 

Last month, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a lawsuit against New York state over its sanctuary state policies – targeting the Empire State’s “Green Light Law,” which grants driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

The 2019 law also bars inquiries into immigration status and bans the state DMV from sharing personal information with the feds and law enforcement unless ordered by a judge. 

The Justice Department’s lawsuit argues that DMV information is “critical” for federal immigration agencies to “identify and remove those who are here illegally” and keep their officers safe.

Homan suggested Bondi could pursue more litigation against New York if Zapeta-Cali is not turned over to ICE.