DHS Criticizes NYC Sanctuary Policies After Manhunt for Assault Suspect
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin voiced strong criticism of New York City's sanctuary policies after the NYPD released an undocumented immigrant accused of assaulting a police officer, despite federal detainer requests.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling for a reevaluation of New York City's sanctuary policies after the New York Police Department (NYPD) released an undocumented immigrant accused of aggravated assault on a police officer, circumventing federal immigration detainers. The individual, identified as Alpha Bah from Guinea, remains at large.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer request with Queens Central Booking on October 7, 2026, following Bah's arrest on charges including aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, and intent to obtain transportation without paying. According to DHS, the NYPD ignored the detainer and released Bah without notifying ICE.
"This is the vision of sanctuary politicians in a nutshell: the open-border policies of the Biden Administration let this criminal into our country, and then sanctuary politicians in New York released him after arresting him without notifying ICE," DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated. "This illegal alien from Guinea was arrested for assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon. Despite these violent charges, New York City sanctuary politicians refused to honor ICE’s detainer and RELEASED him back onto the streets, and he remains at large."
Mullin urged New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to abandon sanctuary policies, warning of potential harm to Americans.
This is not the first instance of Bah being released despite federal interest. ICE had previously lodged a detainer with Manhattan Central Booking after Bah was charged with intent to obtain transportation without paying in June 2026, but he was again released by the NYPD.
Bah reportedly entered the United States illegally in November 2023 and had resided in Arizona before being arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol. He was also arrested in January 2025 for criminal trespassing, but DHS notes he was released before ICE could issue a detainer, citing Biden-era policies.
Governor Hochul has supported policies that restrict state and local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities, signing legislation in May that prohibits official agreements with ICE. Mayor Mamdani has also affirmed New York City's commitment to being a sanctuary city through an executive order that limits access to undocumented immigrants' data, restricts federal immigration enforcement on city property, and mandates audits for agency compliance with sanctuary policies.
DHS has previously stated that cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement is crucial for removing individuals accused of crimes. The department noted that "7 of the 10 safest cities in the U.S. cooperate with ICE."