FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025
Dear New Yorkers,
The deportation of 19-year-old Merwil Gutiérrez Flores to a megaprison in El Salvador earlier this year set off a huge firestorm when it was first reported by Documented because the Venezuelan had no criminal record and a pending asylum application.
But a previously unreported interaction that took place prior to that chain of events is raising more questions: He was arrested by the NYPD on Feb. 24 and detained in a Bronx precinct lock-up on gun charges, according to federal officials, but was never prosecuted.
A day later, the FBI took custody of Gutiérrez Flores and handed him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
City and federal government agencies are saying little about how Gutiérrez Flores went from being detained at the 52nd Precinct on a gun charge to being sent to one of the world’s most notorious prisons without being prosecuted, let alone convicted.
Read more here about an episode that points to questions about how the NYPD’s routine cooperation with federal law enforcement on criminal matters might now aid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
Weather ☔
Foggy then stormy; 70ish degrees. April showers bring May showers, or whatever they say.
MTA 🚇
No G train between Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets and Church Ave over the weekend. Also, a correction from earlier this week about the A train: Service returns to the Rockaways on Monday, and is still down this weekend. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.
Alternate side parking 🚙
It’s in effect today, May 16.
By the way…
The NJ Transit engineers strike could cause big issues for commuters and Beyoncé fans alike.
Our Other Top Stories
- New York’s highest court heard final arguments on Thursday in the long-running case over the fate of a controversial plan to switch the city’s 250,000 retirees to Medicare Advantage. It’d save the city hundreds of millions, but at the cost of what retirees say is inferior and more expensive healthcare — and crucially, not what they have been promised.
- Ahead of this year’s New York City Dance Parade, everyone from kids performing majorette routines to seniors preparing for “fluid aerobics” are preparing for rain on their parade. “I just pray it doesn’t rain,” one grade-aged girl said. “I don’t have time for another disaster.”
- Your phone buzzes. Is it your crush? Your friend sending you a funny TikTok? Nope! It’s a poll asking you to give your opinion on one of the many races in the election (text STOP to opt out). Here’s who’s texting you, and how to know it’s not a scam.
- Real data heads will love the kicker of our latest Ranked Choices election newsletter. Hint: it’s about who voted — and where — in the last mayoral election.
Things To Do
Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.
- Friday, May 16: Teens take the Met! It’s a teen-only night at the museum — free entry with a middle or high school ID. Starts at 4 p.m.
- Saturday, May 17: Celebrate Flushing High School’s 150th birthday! It’s the oldest public school in the city, and it’s throwing a carnival to mark the occasion. Leavitt Field at Flushing High, 12 p.m.
- Saturday, May 17: Go behind the scenes with Open Studios at Industry City: explore architecture, fashion, retail and more. 12 p.m.
THE KICKER: Stephen “Demo” DeMaria, “The Boss of The Carpenters,” has been building sets for Saturday Night Live since its premiere. After 50 years, he’s finally retiring.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday.
Love,
THE CITY
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