ICE arrests violent criminal alien who shouted 'Allahu Akbar,' grabbed officer’s service weapon in failed attempt to prevent apprehension
This violent criminal illegal alien was released into the country by the Biden administration; he violently resisted arrest, forcing officers to deploy a taser to subdue him
BUFFALO, N.Y. / November 18, 2025 — On Nov. 5, ICE Buffalo officers arrested an illegal alien from Turkey who — during his apprehension — violently resisted officers’ commands to exit his vehicle and attempted to grab one of the officer’s tasers, yelling “Allahu Akbar” as he was removed from the vehicle. Saim Irgi, 39, was subdued after an officer tased him. He has a violent criminal history, including 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.”
U.S. Border Patrol encountered Irgi near Jamul, California, after he illegally entered the United States from Mexico July 7, 2023. Irgi was released into the U.S. without any vetting by the Biden administration.
On March 19, the Pennsauken Police Department in Pennsauken, New Jersey, arrested Irgi and charged him with simple assault. That charge was dismissed on April 4. On the same day, Irgi was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department and charged with strangulation, simple assault and recklessly endangering.
While conducting a targeted operation in Tonawanda Nov. 5, ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations officers observed a target driving a vehicle away from a residence. The officers followed and activated their emergency lights when it was safe to do so. During a consensual encounter, ICE officers confirmed the driver was Saim Irgi, an illegal alien from Turkey without authorization to be in the U.S. Officers asked Irgi to exit the vehicle multiple times, but he consistently refused and actively resisted when officers attempted to remove him. Officers were eventually able to remove the alien from the vehicle and escort him to the ground where he continued to resist the officers. Officers drew their tasers and informed Irgi multiple times that if he did not stop resisting, he would be tased. While attempting to place Irgi in custody, he grabbed onto an officer's taser while screaming “Allahu Akbar,” at which point another officer deployed their taser to gain control of Irgi. The illegal alien was subsequently placed in restraints, taken into custody, and transported to Buffalo Federal Detention Facility for processing and detention. Upon arrival at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, Irgi was evaluated by the medical staff and deemed medically fit for detention.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBuffalo.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
