Sanctuary City status bars NYC cops from breaking up migrant youth gang at shelter

The Big Apple’s self-imposed “sanctuary city” status is handcuffing the NYPD from clamping down on a violent crew of young Tren de Aragua members that is terrorizing Manhattan, sources tell The Post.Cops already grappling with the Empire State’s lenient criminal justice laws also have to contend with the immigrant-friendly designation that largely bars police from city-funded migrant shelters that have become a hotbed for gang activity, the sources said.“It’s a problem,” one law enforcement source said.

“We’re essentially allowing a criminal enterprise now involving minors to percolate in the shelter system without the police being able to do what would be normal due diligence when minors are involved in crime.”The stalemate has become increasingly frustrating for the NYPD, particularly as a baby-faced pack of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua calling itself “Diablos de la 42” — Devils of 42nd Street — has been targeting locals and tourists in armed heists around Times Square, according to sources.Once content to just snatch purses and jewelry, officials say that members of the marauding migrant youth gang — some as young as 11 — are now armed and dangerous.Authorities maintain that the youngsters are recruited by migrant gang members in city shelters — particularly the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown — and sent out to do the dirty work, The Post reported this week.But cops can’t get into the the taxpayer-funded hotel haven without a warrant, unless there’s a 911 call or a medical emergency, making it difficult to go after the young gangbangers.NYPD youth coordination officers are also unable to get into the shelters to keep tabs on migrant kids to make sure they’re getting services and staying out of trouble, sources said.In addition, sanctuary cities also refuse to cooperate with federal authorities, with local cops barred from alerting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a migrant is accused of a crime, mean...