NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says a Bangladeshi national who had previously been deported under the Trump administration is now facing a murder charge in Florida after allegedly reentering the United States illegally and being released during the Biden administration.
After killing her, he fled to seek sanctuary in New York.
According to a statement posted by the Department of Homeland Security on social media, Akbor Miah, a citizen of Bangladesh, is accused of fatally shooting his sister-in-law, Monica Islam, shortly after the two left the convenience store where they worked.
Federal officials said Miah allegedly fled Florida following the shooting and traveled to New York in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement before he was taken into custody.
DHS says suspect was previously deported
The Department of Homeland Security said Miah was deported during President Donald Trump’s first administration in 2019. According to the agency, he illegally reentered the United States in 2022 and was subsequently released after being encountered by immigration authorities.
DHS stated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against Miah and is coordinating with Florida law enforcement authorities.
“ICE has lodged a detainer and is working with local Florida law enforcement to ensure this killer is NEVER loose in our country again,” the agency said in its statement.
Murder case proceeds through Florida courts
The homicide case will be prosecuted through Florida’s criminal justice system. If convicted, Miah could also face immigration consequences upon completion of any criminal sentence.
The Department of Homeland Security did not provide additional details regarding the circumstances of Miah’s alleged release in 2022, and the agency’s social media statement did not identify the specific immigration proceedings involved.
Court proceedings in the murder case are expected to continue in Florida.
