A Google search yielded this letter from a group to Mayor Bloomberg that references the rapists as illegals, citing the NY Times as the source. Of course, articles from that time are part of the archives and not accessible merely by registration.
Below is the text of the letter:
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January 18, 2003
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Mr. Mayor:
On December 19, five foreign nationals brutally gang-raped a mother of two during an hours-long ordeal near Shea Stadium. According to the New York Times, all of the suspects are illegal aliens, and sources are reporting that four of the five suspects have been previously in the custody of the New York City Police Department.
According to reports and interviews with law enforcement officers, aliens in police custody are, by policy or in practice, in contravention of Federal law, routinely released back into the general public rather than into custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
In all likelihood, because of Executive Order 124, the City of New York's "sanctuary policy," many of the suspects in the Queens rape case, in addition to using law enforcement services, have also accessed other public and city services (e.g., health care services, housing services, or welfare services) in the City of New York.
Therefore, please be advised that Friends of Immigration Law Enforcement (FILE) is of the opinion that:
1. The City of New York and its agents are in likely violation of federal statutory law,
2. The City of New York and its agents are in likely violation of the U.S. Constitution,
3. The City of New York and its agents may face civil liability.
To remedy: the Mayor should rescind Executive Order 124 and establish appropriate mechanisms whereby city employees may avoid exposing themselves to criminal and civil sanctions. City agencies and employees must have the option to ascertain and report to the proper authorities the immigration status of those accessing public services-including law enforcement services.
Furthermore, simple concern for the good of the country, and the citizens of New York, should effect change in policy.
Craig Nelsen, director
Friends of Immigration Law Enforcement
Whew!
This is good news.
Now, they'll be able to take advantage of Bush's amnesty when he signs it and enjoy a long and fruitful life here in America.
Thank you, Jorge Bush and Vicente Fox!
Viva la Mexico!
</sarcasm>
Squalid Site of Queens Rape Unnoticed by Public Nearby
By MICHAEL WILSON (NYT) 1644 words
METROPOLITAN DESK
December 28, 2002, Saturday
Five men have been charged in the attack: Carlos Rodriguez, 22, Victor Cruz, 22, Jose Hernandez, 18, Luis Carmona, 20, and Armando Juvenal, 20.
The police have said all the men are illegal immigrants; Mr. Juvenal is Ecuadorean, while the others are from Mexico.
Immigration authorities are not routinely notified when an illegal immigrant is arrested, the police said.