A 27-year-old man from Guyana is facing federal charges after allegedly escaping from U.S. custody at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls.
Andre Ali was arrested and charged with escape from custody, a federal offense that carries up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York announced Friday.
According to the complaint, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers encountered Ali around 1 a.m. on September 1, 2025, after his vehicle mistakenly entered the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry from the U.S. side. Ali had no identification and was taken to secondary inspection, where officials determined he had overstayed a visitor visa issued in April 2018, which expired in October of that year.
Ali was handcuffed and placed in a secure room for processing. But when an officer briefly left the area, he climbed onto a bench and into the ceiling, attempting to escape. Moments later, he fell through the ceiling into a nearby room and tried to hide under a shelf.
Border officers quickly recaptured him.
Case part of federal immigration crackdown
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative aimed at cracking down on unlawful immigration and related offenses.
Ali remains in custody. Prosecutors noted that the charge is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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