The Department of Homeland Security said New York City officials are declining to honor an immigration detainer request for a suspect accused in a fatal arson case in Queens, raising renewed concerns about the city’s policies on cooperation with federal authorities.

According to DHS, the New York City Department of Correction informed officials it does not plan to transfer Roman Ceron Amatitla, a 38-year-old Mexican national charged in the case, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. ICE had requested that the city hold the suspect, but the request was not honored.

DHS officials criticized the decision, arguing it could result in the suspect’s release despite serious criminal charges. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis called on state and city leaders, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, to reconsider and comply with the detainer request.

The case stems from a March 16 fire in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, where prosecutors say the suspect entered a residential building multiple times before allegedly igniting materials near a stairwell. Authorities say the fire spread rapidly, killing four people, including a 3-year-old child, and injuring several others, including firefighters.

The Queens County District Attorney's Office has charged Amatitla with multiple counts, including second-degree murder and first-degree arson, in connection with the incident.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and local policies in New York City. City officials have maintained policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, particularly in cases involving detainer requests, citing legal and policy considerations.

Federal officials have pointed to what they describe as a growing number of detainer requests involving individuals accused or convicted of crimes in the city. Critics argue such policies can hinder coordination between local and federal agencies, while supporters say they are intended to balance enforcement with civil liberties and community trust.

The situation adds to a broader debate over immigration enforcement in New York, as state and local leaders continue to face pressure from federal authorities regarding cooperation with ICE in criminal cases.