BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested a 38-year-old man from Côte d’Ivoire on July 23 following his release from state prison in Comstock, citing a history of violent crimes and immigration violations.
Wahota Allassane Ouattara was taken into ICE custody by the agency’s Buffalo Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office. Ouattara entered the U.S. legally on a nonimmigrant visa but failed to depart by his required deadline of October 7, 2016, placing him in violation of federal immigration law.
ICE first encountered Ouattara on October 25, 2024, following his incarceration for third-degree arson and attempted robbery. He was placed into removal proceedings on January 8, 2025.
“This criminal alien not only violated our nation’s federal immigration laws, but he has repeatedly proven his complete disregard for New York State penal laws as well,” said ICE ERO Buffalo Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden.
Ouattara has nine criminal convictions in the United States, including:
- Third-degree assault (two counts) – February 9, 2022
- Second-degree aggravated harassment – February 9, 2022
- Second-degree criminal trespass – September 9, 2022
- Second-degree criminal trespass (two counts) – January 27, 2023
- Third-degree assault – May 23, 2024
- Third-degree arson – July 25, 2024
- Attempted robbery – July 25, 2024
He is currently being held in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings and a potential removal order.