DHS Blasts NYC Sanctuary Policies After Release of Guinean Illegal Alien Accused of Assaulting Officer with Deadly Weapon

The Department of Homeland Security is criticizing New York City officials for releasing Alpha Bah, an illegal alien from Guinea, who faces charges including aggravated assault on a police officer. Despite two ICE detainers, the NYPD released Bah without notifying immigration authorities, a decision federal officials attribute to sanctuary policies. Bah was later apprehended by ICE after a manhunt.

• New York City authorities released Alpha Bah, an illegal alien from Guinea, despite multiple ICE detainers.
• Bah is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration.
• This is the second time NYC officials released Bah after he was previously arrested on transportation-related charges in June and released despite a detainer.
• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin blamed sanctuary policies for Bah’s release and called for an end to them.
• Bah entered the U.S. illegally in November 2023 and was previously released by Border Patrol in Arizona and arrested on a trespassing charge in January 2025 before ICE could lodge a detainer.
• ICE later located and arrested Bah on October 30 after a brief manhunt.