Local lawmakers react to Peruvian gang leader arrest in New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, a Peruvian gang leader accused of killing 23 people in his home country, was arrested this week near Binghamton. He illegally crossed the Southern border this spring.

Local lawmakers are now getting involved, saying something needs to be done about the border crisis.

Border security is a hot debate as we approach the 2024 presidential election. Congressman Nick Langworthy is heavily blaming the Biden administration, saying it has failed on cracking down on border security for years.

“Criminals like Torres-Navarro have been slipping through the cracks bringing violence, bringing drugs, and bringing chaos into our community,” said Langworthy.

He also criticized the immigration system under the Biden administration, saying it’s causing more problems for American citizens.

“Biden and Harris claim they’re pursuing a fair and humane immigration system,” said Langworthy. “But their version of compassion is nothing more than a deadly invitation for Americans to chaos.”

On Friday, Congressman Langworthy introduced a new bill called the Safeguarding Americans from Extreme Risk at the Border Act. It would block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from paroling migrants who are designated as Known and Suspected Terrorists.

It would also give states standing in federal court to sue the DHS if their failure to adhere to the parole prohibition requirements causes harm to the state or its residents.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats also agree that something must be done. In a statement to News 4, Congressman Tim Kennedy says he wants the Republican Majority in the House to bring the bipartisan immigration reform legislation to the floor for a vote.

“Anything less than bringing this bipartisan bill to the floor a vote is putting extreme politics over common sense solutions,” said Kennedy.

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here .