A violent incident inside the New York City subway system has sparked outrage after authorities arrested a four-time deported illegal immigrant accused of shoving two people onto the tracks, including an 83-year-old Air Force veteran who remains in critical condition.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer against 34-year-old Honduran national Bairon Posada-Hernandez following his arrest in connection with the attack.
According to officials, Posada-Hernandez allegedly pushed two victims onto subway tracks in an unprovoked assault. One of those victims, Richard Williams, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran and grandfather, is currently fighting for his life at a New York City hospital.
Authorities say Posada-Hernandez has a long and troubling history in the United States.
Records indicate he first entered the country in 2008 and was deported four separate times. His most recent removal occurred in July 2020. At some point after that deportation, he allegedly reentered the United States again at an unknown time and location.
Despite his previous removals, Posada-Hernandez was once again living in the country when the subway attack occurred.
Officials say he also had a lengthy criminal record prior to the incident. The 34-year-old reportedly accumulated at least 15 criminal charges over the years, including aggravated assault, domestic violence, weapon possession, obstruction of police, simple assault, and drug possession.
Honduran illegal is now facing multiple charges for allegedly pushing two people onto subway tracks in Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Sunday.
Bairon Hernandez (34) pushed Jhon Rodriguez (30) and Air Force veteran Richard Williams (83) onto the tracks.
Rodriguez ended up with… pic.twitter.com/rlaOxPHI4i
— Paul A. Szypula
(@Bubblebathgirl) March 11, 2026
(@Bubblebathgirl) “Bairon Posada-Hernandez is a serial criminal, and four-time deported illegal alien from Honduras who should never have been able to walk our streets and harm innocent Americans,” DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.
Bis added that the department is praying for the victims and their families and urged New York officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“DHS is calling upon New York sanctuary politicians to commit to this ICE detainer and not release this heinous criminal back into New York communities,” she said.
Fox News Digital reported that inquiries were sent to the New York City Department of Correction, the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and the New York Police Department regarding whether the ICE detainer would be honored. The Department of Corrections responded but did not directly address the questions, instead referring reporters to the city’s public “Person in Custody Lookup” database.
According to that database, Posada-Hernandez was given $100,000 bail following his arrest on Wednesday on a first-degree assault charge, a Class B felony. Other reports have indicated prosecutors may pursue attempted murder charges.
Video from the incident has circulated online and appears to show the chaos surrounding the attack. Footage recorded by the younger victim shows Posada-Hernandez calmly walking away after allegedly pushing him onto the tracks. A bystander is seen rushing to assist the victim moments later.
Witnesses said the suspect, Bairon Hernandez, first came up behind a 30-year-old man and pushed him onto the tracks. He then moved behind… pic.twitter.com/iZifMz4g6L
— I Meme Therefore I Am
BREAKING: An 83-year-old veteran is fighting for his life after being pushed onto NYC subway tracks by an illegal immigrant from Honduras.Shortly afterward, Posada-Hernandez allegedly shoved Williams onto the tracks as well. The younger victim suffered minor injuries, but Williams was critically injured and remains hospitalized.
The case has also reignited debate over immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies in New York.
Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he signed an executive order limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The move followed a legislative proposal from New York Governor Kathy Hochul that would further restrict local law enforcement from working with ICE.
According to DHS data released in February, more than 7,110 illegal immigrants were in New York custody with active ICE detainers at the time.
That group reportedly includes individuals accused of serious crimes, including 148 facing homicide charges, 717 accused of assault, more than 200 accused of burglary or robbery, over 230 facing drug-related charges, 152 accused of weapons offenses, and 260 individuals identified as sexual predators.
As the investigation continues, the condition of the elderly veteran injured in the subway attack remains a central concern for his family and the broader New York community.
