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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has criticized the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for agreeing to a plea deal with a 31-year-old transgender illegal alien from Colombia named Nicol Alexandra Contreras-Suarez, who confessed to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in East Harlem last year. Despite being initially charged with first-degree rape of a child under 17 and stalking, Contreras-Suarez received just a 6-month prison sentence under the plea deal.
Why it matters
The case has sparked outrage over the Manhattan DA’s office being perceived as going easy on a transgender illegal immigrant who committed a serious crime against a minor. It highlights ongoing tensions over immigration, criminal justice, and LGBTQ issues in New York City.
The details
Contreras-Suarez, who identifies as a woman, was arrested in February 2025 for following a 14-year-old boy into a bathroom and sexually assaulting him. He was initially charged with first-degree rape of a child under 17 and stalking. However, the Manhattan DA’s office agreed to a plea deal that reduced the charges, resulting in just a 6-month prison sentence for Contreras-Suarez. DHS condemned the plea deal as a ‘disgrace’ and a ‘gross miscarriage of justice’.
In March 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested Contreras-Suarez for illegally entering the country in San Ysidro, California.In February 2025, Contreras-Suarez was arrested for following a 14-year-old boy into a bathroom and sexually assaulting him in East Harlem.In March 2026, Contreras-Suarez received a 6-month prison sentence as part of a plea deal with the Manhattan DA’s office.
The players
Nicol Alexandra Contreras-Suarez
A 31-year-old transgender illegal alien from Colombia who confessed to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in East Harlem.
Alvin Bragg
The Manhattan District Attorney who oversaw the plea deal that resulted in a 6-month sentence for Contreras-Suarez.
Lauren Bis
The Acting Assistant DHS Secretary who condemned the Manhattan DA’s office for the plea deal.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The agency that arrested Contreras-Suarez for illegally entering the country in 2023.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The agency that lodged an immigration detainer with Manhattan Central Booking on Contreras-Suarez in February 2025.
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What they’re saying
“This plea deal is a disgrace. Six months in jail for raping a child is a gross miscarriage of justice. This pervert was let into our country by the Biden administration and then again released from jail following his arrests for armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and prostitution.”
— Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant DHS Secretary
What’s next
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deport Contreras-Suarez after he serves his 6-month sentence at Rikers Island.
The takeaway
This case has sparked outrage over the Manhattan DA’s office being perceived as too lenient on a transgender illegal immigrant who committed a serious crime against a minor, highlighting the ongoing tensions over immigration, criminal justice, and LGBTQ issues in New York City.