Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Buffalo, N.Y., arrested a Turkish national earlier this month after he violently resisted arrest, attempted to grab an officer’s taser, and yelled “Allahu Akbar” while being taken into custody, according to federal officials.
ICE said the suspect, Saim Irgi, 39, is an illegal alien who was previously released into the United States without vetting after being encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Jamul, Calif., in July 2023. Officials said Irgi has a violent criminal record, including prior charges for assault in New Jersey and charges for strangulation, assault, and recklessly endangering in Pennsylvania.
“Saim Irgi is a violent criminal offender and a significant public safety threat to the residents of western New York,” said ICE Buffalo Acting Field Office Director Tammy Marich. “The officers of ICE Buffalo will continue to work tirelessly to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from the United States.”
According to ICE, officers conducting a targeted operation in Tonawanda on Nov. 5 observed a suspect leaving a residence in a vehicle and initiated a stop when conditions were safe. After making contact, officers confirmed the driver was Irgi, who did not have authorization to be in the United States.
Officers said Irgi refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle and actively resisted when they attempted to remove him. During the encounter, Irgi allegedly grabbed onto an officer’s taser while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” prompting another officer to deploy their taser to subdue him.
ICE said Irgi continued resisting as officers brought him to the ground, but was eventually restrained and taken into custody. He was transported to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility for processing, where medical staff evaluated him and deemed him fit for detention.
Irgi’s criminal history includes a March 19 arrest by the Pennsauken Police Department in New Jersey for simple assault, a charge that was dismissed on April 4. On the same day, he was arrested by Philadelphia police and charged with strangulation, simple assault, and recklessly endangering.
ICE said the Nov. 5 arrest underscores the agency’s focus on locating and removing criminal offenders who pose risks to public safety.
Irgi remains detained at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility pending immigration proceedings.
