The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a strong rebuke of a New York Times article that portrayed a convicted kidnapper and illegal immigrant in a sympathetic light following his deportation to Jamaica earlier this year.
The article, titled “21 Years Later, Deported Back to a ‘Home’ He Never Knew,” profiled 44-year-old Nascimento Blair, who was deported in February after spending more than two decades living illegally in the United States.
Blair had entered the U.S. on a temporary visa and remained unlawfully after overstaying his authorized period.
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Blair was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2006 after being convicted of first-degree kidnapping.
In 2008, a judge issued a final order of removal against him.
However, following his release from prison in 2020, Blair continued to reside in the United States without facing removal until his recent detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The New York Times article, written by Luis Ferré-Sadurní, claimed Blair had been “rebuilding his life and seeking redemption” before ICE apprehended and deported him.
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DHS officials took issue with the paper’s portrayal, arguing it downplayed Blair’s serious criminal history.
“The New York Times conveniently glossed over that this illegal alien, Nascimento Blair, is a convicted kidnapper and was sentenced to 15 years in prison,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a post on X.
“In 2008, he was issued a final order of removal. Because of the Biden administration’s open border policies, this criminal illegal alien was released onto the streets of New York.”
The New York Times conveniently glossed over that this illegal alien, Nascimento Blair is a convicted kidnapper and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
In 2008, he was issued a final order of removal. Because of the Biden administration’s open border policies, this criminal… pic.twitter.com/qy3PvxBI2P
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) April 24, 2025
Court documents show Blair pleaded guilty in 2005 to multiple charges, including weapons offenses and kidnapping.
He was ultimately convicted of first-degree kidnapping and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Authorities said Blair held a teenage victim inside an apartment unit, demanding a ransom of $5,000 from the victim’s father.
Police were able to rescue the victim and discovered multiple firearms and felony amounts of marijuana at the scene.
In comments to the New York Times, Blair admitted to operating a marijuana dealing business, referring to it as a “side hustle,” and claimed he acted in retaliation after the victim allegedly stole drugs from him.
“I got caught up selling weed and fell in love with the money,” Blair said.
Despite his conviction, he asserted, “Somebody took something from me, and I wanted to get it back,” and denied holding the victim against his will.
In statements to the New York Post, McLaughlin criticized the Times further, questioning why the publication continues to publish sympathetic coverage of individuals with violent criminal records.
“Why does the New York Times continue to peddle sob stories about criminal illegal aliens and ignore their victims?” McLaughlin said.
She emphasized that President Donald Trump remains committed to “arresting and deporting the worst of the worst,” including convicted criminals such as kidnappers.
DHS officials indicated that efforts to enforce final removal orders and prioritize the deportation of criminal aliens will continue as part of the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.
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