Federal officials have sharply criticized New York's sanctuary policies following the arrest of an undocumented immigrant on charges of raping a 27-year-old woman in Brooklyn. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that the state's policies have created an environment where criminal activity can thrive, jeopardizing public safety.
The accused, identified as 35-year-old Reynaldo Mayna Cordero, a Peruvian national who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally in August 2023, was reportedly released into the country under current immigration policies. Federal authorities allege that Cordero followed the victim into her Bedford-Stuyvesant apartment building on Sunday and committed the assault. According to Mullin, Cordero's prior criminal history includes charges such as anal rape, assault with a deadly weapon, forcible touching, and third-degree sexual assault.
Mullin asserted, "This illegal alien’s criminal history includes anal rape, strongarm assault with a deadly weapon, forcible touching, touching sexual/intimate parts of another person and third-degree sexual assault. Yet sanctuary politicians in New York invited this vile criminal into their community. Sanctuary politicians have handcuffed their law enforcement and are allowing criminal activity to thrive, while the American people become less safe."
Sources familiar with the case indicated that Mayna Cordero had one prior arrest in New York in 2025 for criminal mischief. The New York City Police Department arrested Cordero on Monday night after releasing surveillance photos of the suspect. A detainer has been placed on him by DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, though New York's sanctuary policies typically prevent local law enforcement from honoring such federal detainers.
The alleged incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. Sunday near Bedford Avenue and Willoughby Avenue. Police stated that Cordero rode up on an e-bike, allegedly slapped the woman, and then followed her into the building before the assault. He reportedly fled the scene after the attack.