An off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was shot in the face during an attempted robbery in New York City by a suspect the Department of Homeland Security says is an illegal alien with a criminal record and a deportation order.
On July 20, the Department of Homeland Security posted on social media:
UPDATE: footage shows two assailants, one an illegal alien with criminal charges, ambushing and shooting a @CBP officer yesterday in New York City. pic.twitter.com/m4BHRjhXpD
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 20, 2025
Later that day, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott wrote on X, “Our CBP Officer in NYC showed extraordinary courage last night — shot in the face by an illegal alien & still fought back to help bring his attacker into custody. This violent criminal never should’ve been on our streets. This is exactly why we fight every day to secure this nation. We’re praying for the officer & his family.”
President Donald Trump also addressed the incident in a statement posted to Truth Social, blaming his predecessor for the suspect’s presence in the United States:
“Last night, in New York City, an incredible CBP Officer was shot in the face by an Illegal Alien Monster freed into the Country under Joe Biden,” Trump wrote. “He was apprehended at the Border in April 2023 but, instead of being deported, was RELEASED. The CBP Officer bravely fought off his attacker, despite his wounds, demonstrating enormous Skill and Courage.”
The shooting occurred just before midnight Saturday in Fort Washington Park in Manhattan, per the New York Post. The 42-year-old off-duty CBP officer was reportedly sitting by the Hudson River with a female companion when two men on a moped allegedly approached and attempted to rob them. After a brief struggle, one of the suspects allegedly shot the officer in the face and arm.
The officer returned fire, striking one of the suspects multiple times. DHS later identified the individual as 21-year-old Dominican national Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, according to the New York Post. Surveillance footage released by DHS appears to show the ambush and the exchange of gunfire.
The New York Post also reported that Mora entered the U.S. illegally in April 2023 via the southern border and was released with a notice to appear before an immigration judge due to overcrowding in detention facilities. A deportation order was later issued, the outlet said, citing unnamed sources.
Mora had a criminal record including kidnapping and weapons charges in Massachusetts and at least four prior arrests, reported Fox News. In each of those arrest cases, Mora was reportedly released without bail because the charges were not bail-eligible in New York. City sanctuary laws also reportedly prevented his transfer to federal immigration authorities.
Mora allegedly walked into a Bronx hospital after the shooting with gunshot wounds and was taken into custody. DHS has reportedly lodged a detainer against him.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the case on Sunday, defending the city’s actions under existing law. “Whatever we need to do in our federal laws to ensure that dangerous people are not on our streets, federal authorities need to do that,” he said. Adams added that local police had previously participated in federal gang takedowns and emphasized that New York officials are “not allowed to coordinate with deportation, civil deportation only.”
As of Sunday, the CBP officer was in stable condition following surgery. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is expected to visit him in the hospital, according to several outlets.
Authorities say a second suspect remains at large.