NEWARK, N.J. – In a major crackdown operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with federal and local law enforcement agencies, arrested a Turkish man who was unlawfully living in the United States. The suspect, Ismail Sayik, aged 29, was taken into custody on March 4 in Newark, New Jersey.
According to officials, Sayik is wanted in Turkey on multiple criminal charges, including murder. ICE confirmed that he was illegally present in the country and is now in their custody as he waits for his removal proceedings.
New Jersey’s Role as a Sanctuary State
New Jersey has been known as a sanctuary state, making it a place where illegal migrants often seek refuge. This status was not officially passed by the state’s lawmakers but was put in place through executive orders by Governor Phil Murphy. Because of this, many criminal migrants use New Jersey as a hiding spot to avoid facing legal action in their home countries or from federal authorities.
Details of the Arrest Operation
The operation began when ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attaché office in Turkey informed HSI Newark that Sayik, a person of interest, had entered the U.S. illegally and was currently in New Jersey.
Ricky J. Patel, special agent in charge of HSI Newark, said,
“Once we got the tip from our attaché office in Turkey, our team worked quickly to find the suspect. We were able to locate and arrest him in Queens, New York.”
Patel also thanked the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for helping in the operation.
Previous Encounter at the Border
Interestingly, this is not the first time U.S. authorities caught Sayik. On March 17, 2023, almost a year before his latest arrest, Sayik was caught by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Jacumba, California, after he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.
At that time, he was issued a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge under the Department of Justice. Instead of being detained, he was released on an Order of Recognizance—which allowed him to stay in the country temporarily. He was required to report to the nearest ICE office while his case was ongoing. On April 5, 2023, he did comply with that condition by reporting to ICE New York.
Current Status and Ongoing Investigation
As of now, Sayik remains in ICE custody. The authorities have not shared more details about his criminal charges in Turkey or when exactly he will be deported.
The case is still under investigation, and officials are working to finalize his removal process. His arrest once again raises questions about the policies of sanctuary states and how they may impact public safety.
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