NYC Released Man ICE Wanted — Now He's at Large
ICE filed multiple detainer requests for Alpha Bah, a Guinean national, after a series of arrests in New York City — including one for allegedly assaulting an NYPD officer with a deadly weapon. Each time, New York City released him without notifying ICE. As of late October 2026, Bah remained at large, and federal officials are publicly demanding that city and state leaders change course.
What if ICE has already filed a detainer request against you — and local police simply ignore it? That is exactly what happened in New York City, and now federal authorities say the man they wanted is still free.
ICE lodged an immigration detainer — a formal request asking local law enforcement to hold a person and notify ICE before releasing them — at Queens Central Booking on October 7, 2026, after Alpha Bah, a Guinean national, was arrested on charges including aggravated assault on an NYPD officer with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. According to ICE, the New York City Police Department released Bah without notifying the agency or honoring the detainer. As of October 28, 2026, Bah remained at large.
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This was not the first time. ICE had previously lodged a detainer after Bah's arrest in June 2026 on a fare evasion charge — and he was released then too. Before that, Bah was arrested in January 2025 on a criminal trespassing charge and released before ICE could even file a detainer. Bah entered the United States without authorization through Arizona in November 2023 and was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol at that time.
Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella said the agency gave New York City multiple chances to transfer Bah to federal custody. "When local jurisdictions refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, they force our officers to make arrests in communities rather than safe, controlled settings," Venturella said. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin called on Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani to stop honoring what he called "sanctuary policies." ICE is actively searching for Bah and is asking anyone with information to call the ICE Tip Line at (866) DHS-2-ICE.
What This Means If You Are in Removal Proceedings
This case highlights how ICE detainers work in practice — and what can happen when local and federal agencies do not coordinate. An ICE detainer is not a criminal warrant. It is a civil immigration request. Courts in several jurisdictions have ruled that local agencies are not legally required to honor them. But federal officials argue that when detainers are ignored, ICE must conduct arrests in public, which they say creates broader risks. If you have an open immigration case or a prior order of removal, understanding how detainers work is critical.
- If ICE has filed a detainer against you, contact an immigration attorney immediately. A detainer means ICE believes you may be subject to removal — you have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
- If you receive a removal order, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Missing this window closes most legal options.
- If you need more time to prepare your case, ask your attorney about voluntary departure (up to 120 days) or filing a motion to reopen within 90 days of a final order.
- If ICE arrests you, do not resist. Invoke your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney before answering any questions.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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An ICE detainer is a civil immigration hold, not a criminal arrest warrant — and in jurisdictions like New York City, local agencies are generally not required by law to honor them. However, if ICE does take you into custody, you have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and the right to be represented by an attorney at your own expense. If you have a prior removal order or a pending case, the 30-day window to appeal a removal order is hard — missing it can eliminate your ability to fight deportation. Consult an immigration attorney before any court date or release from local custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ICE detainer and does local police have to follow it?
An ICE detainer is a written request from ICE asking a local jail or police department to hold a person for up to 48 extra hours and notify ICE before releasing them. Courts in several states, including New York, have ruled that local agencies are not legally required to honor these requests. Whether your local jurisdiction cooperates with ICE depends on local policy.
If ICE arrests me, what are my rights?
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or where you were born. You have the right to speak with an attorney — though the government does not have to provide one for free in immigration cases. Do not sign any documents without first speaking to a lawyer.
How long do I have to appeal a removal order?
You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If you miss this deadline, your options become very limited. In some cases, you may file a motion to reopen within 90 days of a final order, but only under specific circumstances.
What happens if I entered the US without authorization and was caught at the border?
If you were apprehended at the border, you may have been placed in removal proceedings or given a notice to appear in immigration court. If you were released and later arrested again, ICE may file a detainer and seek to deport you. Your options depend on whether you have a pending case, a final order, or any legal basis to stay — such as asylum or family ties. An immigration attorney can review your specific situation.