A brutal killing on a subway platform this month, allegedly involving rival gang members, is raising concerns of all kinds: that the city should be more closely working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; that the incident has already been politicized to stoke a fear of immigrants; and that no matter where people stand on immigration issues, there is genuine concern over increased gang activity in Queens and how to handle it.

"If you ask me, ICE needs to be monitored; they can't go out and do whatever they want," said Johnny Cruz, who was passing by the 7 train platform in Elmhurst on Sunday, where the killing took place. "They should work with people, instead of treating every single illegal person like a gang member or a criminal."

It's a sentiment baked into New York's sanctuary city policy, which limits cooperation with ICE. Mayor de Blasio and other city officials have argued that immigrants should feel open to reporting crime and working with law enforcement without fear of deportation. Under the policy, the city only shares information with ICE if there's a warrant, or an immigrant has been convicted of one of nearly 170 serious crimes.

A new group, called Latinos for ICE, was also outside the 7 train station on Sunday, with a small showing of supporters and a candidate running for public advocate named Manny Alicandro.

The subway killing prompted Mike Reyes, a Corona resident with a Dominican background, to create the group. He said he formed it separate from Alicandro, the political candidate, to call into question the sanctuary city policy.

"We're calling for the city to work better with ICE and federal authorities in order to be able to control the situation," said Reyes.

ICE said the man charged in the Feb. 3rd killing, Ramiro Gutierrez, was in the U.S. illegally. Authorities said he was a member of MS-13 and out on $2,500 bail following a gang bust in December.

Multiple Elmhurst residents on Sunday echoed Cruz's concerns, that immigrants would be too broadly targeted by ICE in the name of fighting gangs, such as MS-13. But many also said that they did, indeed, fear an increase of gang activity in the area.

"I'm really afraid around here," said Katherine Rosario, who was walking along Roosevelt Avenue with two of her three young children. "I'm actually looking for a new place."

She said the killing at the 90th Street-Elmhurst Avenue station terrified her so much that she now prefers to walk to a farther stop along the 7 line. 

Joseph Reyes said he grew up in Elmhurst and has taken note that more people seem to be pre-occupied about an increase in gang activity. But he was also troubled that President Trump cited the killing in his State of the Union address, bringing the attack into the political sphere.

"I believe that it's something they're going to use to their advantage," Reyes said.

The city councilman for the district, Francisco Moya, is holding a town hall this Friday evening on gang activity in the area. But he said he was also concerned about the incident being used to "foment public panic," including new start-up groups like Latinos for ICE.

"If we betray our status as a sanctuary city, it’s not going to make us safer," Moya said in an email. "Witnesses won’t come forward. Victims won’t come forward. An already marginalized community will be driven further into the shadows where criminals can capitalize and take advantage of them. If we’re going to keep our city safe, we need the public to be our partners, not targets or bait for ICE."

Moya said the purpose of the town hall is to facilitate conversation about people's concerns, but also explain to residents what measures the NYPD is taking to crack down on gang activity.