What happened
A 25-year-old Venezuelan migrant, Samuel Reveron Ascanio, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being released by a New York City judge despite having a prior federal warrant for his arrest. Reveron Ascanio, also known as the 'mole man,' was initially arrested by the NYPD for criminal trespassing after he and two other men were seen climbing out of a sewer manhole near the United Nations. The men claimed they were searching for valuables in the sewer system.
Reveron Ascanio was released by Judge Sheridan Jack-Browne, but ICE took him into custody due to his illegal immigration status and unresolved criminal charges. ICE criticized the city for releasing Reveron Ascanio, stating that it 'recklessly' returned an alleged public-safety threat to the streets. The incident has raised concerns about the city's sanctuary policies and cooperation with federal immigration agents.
Reveron Ascanio's arrest is part of a larger trend of 'mole people' searching for scrap metal and lost valuables in the city's sewer system. There have been several recent sightings of individuals climbing into and out of the sewer system, sparking security fears and prompting investigations by the NYPD.
