Kennedy, Tim RSS Articles

Kennedy’s WINTER Act Passed by House of Representatives

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation Will Strengthen Preparedness Against Terrorist Threats Targeting Critical Infrastructure During Extreme Cold Weather Events

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Tim Kennedy’s (NY-26) legislation, H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness (WINTER) Act. This common-sense legislation aims to strengthen the nation's preparedness for terrorist attacks during extreme winter weather events.

The WINTER Act directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a terrorism preparedness exercise examining how a successful attack on critical infrastructure during an extreme cold weather event would impact communities and how emergency managers, state officials, and federal partners can better coordinate to respond. The legislation also requires DHS to report its findings and recommendations to Congress to improve future emergency planning.

Full remarks here.

“By identifying security gaps before disaster strikes, we can enhance our resilience and be better prepared to respond to increasingly sophisticated acts of terrorism,” said Congressman Kennedy. “We cannot control when the next severe winter storm will strike, and we cannot predict when terrorists will look to exploit our vulnerabilities. But we can ensure that our homeland security enterprise is prepared for both. That is exactly what this legislation will help us do.”

The WINTER Act was introduced with the support of Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-2), was unanimously passed out of the Committee on Homeland Security, and passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

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Kennedy Calls on DHS to Halt Construction of New ICE Detention Facility at Batavia

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy’s Oversight Letter Raises Questions About Need, Detainee Safety, and Facility Conditions

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) has sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding that the Department immediately discontinue plans to construct a new 100-bed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility at the Buffalo Service Processing Center in Batavia, New York. Kennedy warned this development represents a dangerous expansion of the Trump administration’s cruel and extreme immigration enforcement agenda.

Kennedy criticized DHS’s justification for expanding detention capacity, noting that most individuals detained at Batavia do not have criminal records. The letter underscores that the expansion of ICE’s detention capacity at the Batavia facility does little to enhance public safety – it merely increases the Trump administration’s ability to police and overcriminalize communities in Western New York and across the U.S.

Kennedy requested that DHS provide detailed information about the proposed facility, including its cost, funding source, construction timeline, intended detainee population, medical infrastructure, staffing needs, and current detention population at Batavia. He also called on the Department to release records related to its decision to build the facility and explain how it plans to ensure detainee safety and accountability.

Full text of the letter below:

The Honorable Markwayne Mullin
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Dear Secretary Mullin,

I write to demand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately discontinue plans to construct a new ICE detention facility at the Buffalo Service Processing Center (Batavia). This development represents a further expansion of the Trump administration’s cruel, inhumane, and extreme immigration enforcement agenda. It reflects a broader effort to escalate interior immigration enforcement and expand detention capacity in service of the continued over-criminalization of immigrant communities in Western New York and across our country.

DHS’s purported need for additional detention capacity in Western New York is largely a result of its own deeply flawed and extreme enforcement policies. It has been well documented that the majority of ICE detainees – roughly 70 percent – do not have a criminal record. Consistent with this national trend, the majority of Batavia detainees also do not possess a criminal record. Specifically, four of five individuals have no criminal arrest or conviction. This makes clear that DHS’s proposed expansion is not driven by an influx of dangerous criminals in Western New York, but rather by the detention of non-criminal immigrants, including local small business owners, workers, students, or even individuals who mistakenly cross the northern border. Expanding detention capacity under these circumstances does little to enhance public safety – it merely increases the Trump administration’s ability to police and overcriminalize communities in Western New York and across the U.S.

The Trump administration has a well-documented history of rapidly constructing detention facilities in service of its extreme immigration enforcement agenda, oftentimes without ensuring those facilities have the infrastructure to ensure detainee safety, security, and health. Through soft-sided tents, retrofitting of warehouses, and construction of hard-sided facilities, ICE has expanded its footprint – frequently over the objections of local communities – without proper consideration for detainee health or safety. I am deeply concerned that a new facility at Batavia would follow this same pattern, prioritizing rapid facility construction over DHS’s obligation to ensure that every individual in its custody is held in a safe, humane, and dignified manner.

Given these significant concerns, I request that DHS respond to the following questions wholly and completely by July 15, 2026.

As of July 8, 2026, how many individuals are currently being held at Batavia?
1. What percentage of those individuals possess a criminal record? How many detainees are being held for a civil immigration offense?
What appropriated funds is DHS using to build the new facility? What is the total estimated cost of designing, constructing, and operating the new facility?
Does ICE plan to detain men, women, or children at the new facility?
Has construction on the 100-bed facility begun? If so, when?
What additional medical infrastructure, if any, is DHS planning to build?
What are the staffing needs for DHS’s planned new facility?
Please provide all records related to the decision to construct the facility, including official memos, cost estimates, and communications with any contractors.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Timothy M. Kennedy
Member of Congress (NY-26)

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Standing with Western New York Leaders, Kennedy Calls on Full House to Pass the NEXUS for Families Act

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Following Unanimous Committee Approval, a Broad Coalition of Tourism, Business, and Cultural Organizations Urge Immediate Action to Cut Bureaucratic Red Tape for Border Communities

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Today, standing alongside a diverse coalition of some of Western New York’s top economic, cultural, and tourism leaders at the foot of the Peace Bridge crossing to Canada, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) called on the House of Representatives to immediately pass H.R. 9382, the NEXUS for Families Act. The push comes on the heels of the legislation successfully passing unanimously through the House Committee on Homeland Security last month.

Surrounded by endorsing organizations in Buffalo, Kennedy emphasized the urgent need to eliminate the bureaucratic hurdles families currently face when applying for NEXUS passes, a vital tool that currently helps over 2.2 million vetted travelers cross the border between the United States and Canada.

“Standing here today with the leaders who drive Western New York’s cultural and economic engines, the message to Washington is clear: it is time to pass the NEXUS for Families Act,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Traveling with a family is difficult enough even without adding the burden of multiple visits to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities for individual NEXUS interviews. In our region, visits to and from Canada are a routine activity that fuels our local economy. By streamlining the application and interview process, we’re cutting red tape and encouraging the cross-border travel and tourism that our local businesses and attractions rely on. This is common-sense legislation, and the House must bring it to a vote.”

Under current regulations, parents must submit a separate application for each family member. This leads to a dysfunctional system where a child might receive approval while a parent is delayed, or vice versa. Families cannot currently interview together and must bring even young children to CBP facilities for individual screening, resulting in multiple, highly inconvenient trips to enrollment centers.

The NEXUS for Families Act modernizes the process by requiring CBP to:

Link family applications together, ensuring households are processed as a unit.
Allow joint scheduling, so agents can conduct interviews for the entire household concurrently.
Exempt children under age 14 from the interview process when appropriate, expediting approvals for all participating family members.

"Our partnership with Canada is fundamental to Buffalo's economy and to the everyday lives of many Western New Yorkers," Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said. "Whether people are crossing the border for work, shopping, recreation, or to visit family, making that experience more efficient strengthens the ties that have long benefited communities on both sides of the border. I commend Congressman Kennedy for his leadership on this common-sense legislation to reduce unnecessary barriers for families participating in the NEXUS program."

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “Every day, thousands of Western New Yorkers cross the border to visit family and friends, travel for work, attend sporting events and concerts, or simply enjoy everything our Canadian neighbors have to offer. The NEXUS for Families Act is a commonsense improvement that will make travel easier for families while preserving the security standards that travelers expect and continuing the strong cross-border relationship that has long been vital to Western New York.”

“For Western New York families and our neighbors to the north, the border is part of everyday life,” said New York State Senator Jeremy Zellner. “NEXUS helps keep our communities connected, and this commonsense legislation makes the program more accessible for parents and children while maintaining strong border security. I thank Congressman Kennedy for his leadership and urge Congress to move this bill forward.”

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “For families in Western New York, crossing the border into Canada isn’t just an occasional trip. Whether visiting relatives, attending events, shopping, or supporting local tourism, families deserve a NEXUS application process that works for them, not against them. Congressman Kennedy’s legislation takes a common-sense approach by reducing unnecessary paperwork, streamlining interviews, and making it easier for families to enroll and travel together. As someone who represents a community with deep ties to Canada, I applaud Congressman Kennedy for advancing this bipartisan effort to strengthen cross-border connectivity and support the economic and cultural relationship that has long united Western New York and our Canadian neighbors.”

“As a current nexus pass holder, I understand the benefits for me and my family’s travel,” said Common Councilmember Rasheed N.C. Wyatt. “To expand this service to exempt children could be a game changer for families traveling trying to navigate the borders and TSA check points more expeditiously.”

“We are excited to see tangible action being taken to make cross-border travel to Buffalo easier,” said Michelle Urbanczyk, President & CEO, Explore & More Children’s Museum. “We rely heavily on tourism in Western New York and hope that the passage of this bill will incentivize Canadian families to visit us more often.”

“Employers across the Buffalo and Niagara regions rely on efficient cross-border movement every day to reach customers, manage supply chains, support tourism and hospitality, and maintain strong relationships with partners in Southern Ontario and beyond,” said Grant Loomis, President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “The NEXUS for Families Act is a commonsense step that would make trusted traveler enrollment more affordable for families, ease pressure at our border crossings, and help keep people, goods, and opportunity moving. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership urges the House to pass this legislation and support the border communities and employers that depend on a modern, efficient crossing system.”

“The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is pleased to endorse the NEXUS for Families Act,” said Beth Burke, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council. “This legislation helps reduce hurdles for families, strengthens U.S.-Canada connectivity and enhances the security that underpins our bilateral relationship. By streamlining the NEXUS program for families, this legislation encourages greater cross-border mobility and reinforces connectivity, benefiting communities on both sides of the border. We look forward to working with policymakers to continue modernizing cross-border travel and encourage Congress to move this legislation forward.”

"As a family-oriented attraction located on the U.S.-Canadian border, we are grateful to Rep. Kennedy for his leadership in facilitating cross-border travel for Canadian families," said Chad Fifer, President & CEO, Aquarium of Niagara. "We join him in urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the NEXUS for Families Act and to send a clear message that Canadian families are always welcome to enjoy all that Niagara Falls and Western New York have to offer. Their visits strengthen tourism, support our regional economy, and foster connections between communities on both sides of the border."

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Mannion, Tenney, and LaLota. Endorsing organizations of the bill include: The AKG Art Gallery, Aquarium of Niagara, Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Sports Commission, Canadian American Business Council, Destination Niagara, Explore and More, Graycliff, the Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York State Restaurant Association, Niagara Aerospace Museum, Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Historic Site, The Richardson Complex, U.S. Travel, and Visit Buffalo.

Congressman Kennedy is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, and serves as the Ranking Member on the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee.

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Kennedy Introduces VA Coaching Into Care Act to Support Families of At-Risk Veterans

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Families of Veterans Lack Critical Mental Health Support After the Discontinuation of the VA’s Coaching Into Care Program

Kennedy’s Legislation Would Restart the Program, Providing Families and Caregivers with Accessible Support from Health Professionals

Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced the introduction of the VA Coaching Into Care Act, a bill to address a major gap in support for families and loved ones of at-risk veterans. This legislation would restart the VA’s Coaching Into Care program, strengthening access to real-time mental health resources for veterans and the family members who support them.

Watch Congressman Kennedy’s full remarks here.

For years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted their Coaching Into Care Program, a successful initiative that created a hotline to provide families of at-risk veterans with real-time support and guidance, including resources to help identify warning signs of mental health crises. However, the program was discontinued on March 1, 2024. Since then, calls have been rerouted to the VA’s Caregiver Support Line, which is often overburdened with high call volume and long wait times. Additionally, hotline responders are oftentimes unaware that they can provide resources to individuals who are not formally recognized as caregivers. As a result, many spouses, partners, and family members of veterans are left without access to critical, professional guidance in crisis situations.

“To close this gap, my bill, the VA Coaching Into Care Act of 2026, restarts this program at the VA for three years, providing phone-based counseling and guidance for family members of at-risk veterans. It strengthens the VA mental health support system, and put simply – will save lives,” said Congressman Kennedy. “We ask a great deal of those who serve our country. In this body, it is our responsibility to care for those who have protected us, our livelihoods, liberty, and democracy.”

On average, more than 17 veterans die by suicide per day. Ensuring veterans and their loved ones have access to timely mental health support has never been more important. The Coaching Into Care Act would restore the VA’s proven program for an additional three years, maintaining a toll-free hotline staffed by licensed psychologists and social workers. By reconnecting families with expert guidance and support, the legislation would help bridge the gap between veterans in need and life-saving mental and behavioral health care.

Kennedy’s legislation is endorsed by the Minority Veterans of America, National American Indian Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Vet Voice Foundation, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

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As Federal Mandate to Remove Lead Lines Nears, Kennedy Announces Nearly $1 Million for Erie County Water Authority to Continue its Get The Lead Out Initiative

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Funding Will be Used by ECWA to Replace Lead Services Lines to Homes at no Cost to Residents

There is no Safe Amount of Lead, Which Can Cause Irreversible Cognitive Damage for Children

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. - Joined by officials from the Erie County Water Authority and colleagues in government, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced a federal grant of nearly $960,000 for the Water Authority that will be used for its ongoing project to replace lead service lines leading to homes. Costs for homeowners to replace decades-old lead service lines can reach thousands of dollars. ECWA’s project takes advantage of its economy of scale by allowing them to contract hundreds of replacements, lowering overall costs and preventing it from being passed onto families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Older communities like Western New York continue to deal with the toxic legacy of past practices, including the use of lead service lines,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The science is settled, we know that there is no safe amount of lead, and kids across our region deserve to enter adulthood with every advantage we can provide. That’s why I was proud to secure this funding to ensure that the ECWA can continue to move towards its important target of removing all lead pipes.”

“On behalf of the Erie County Water Authority and our mission to provide our customers with a plentiful supply of safe, high-quality, and affordable drinking water through reliable infrastructure, we appreciate Congressman Kennedy’s financial support that will help our hardworking crews replace lead water lines as part of our Get the Lead Out initiative,” said Erie County Water Authority Chairman Jerome Schad. “The Congressman has been a great partner in our efforts to meet this federal mandate to enhance public health and safety, and we are grateful for his leadership in recognizing the importance of this critical work we are performing across our service territory.”

“Every family deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” said Erie County Legislature Chairman Timothy Meyers. “This nearly $1 million federal investment will help the Erie County Water Authority identify and replace dangerous lead service lines, protecting the health of residents while modernizing critical infrastructure, and we’re grateful to Congressman Tim Kennedy for securing these resources.”

Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera said, “Families should not have to bear the high cost of replacing lead service lines. I want to thank Congressman Kennedy for securing this funding to help ECWA continue its Get the Lead Out initiative at no cost to residents, protecting public health and ensuring children have access to safe, clean drinking water.”

“I want to thank the Congressman for his role in securing funds to assist the ECWA in addressing aging and problematic infrastructure,” said Cheektowaga Supervisor Brian Nowak.

Replacing lead service lines is a recognized public health priority, with lead serving as a potent neurotoxin that leaches into drinking water and can cause irreversible cognitive damage, especially for children. To eliminate this widespread hazard, the EPA’s Lead & Copper Rule Improvements regulations mandate that water systems replace 100% of lead pipes nationwide by 2037. To request a lead testing kit from the Erie County Water Authority, customers can call 716-849-8444. For more information, go to my.ecwa.org/GetTheLeadOut.

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Congressman Kennedy Announces Winner of 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced the winner of the annual Congressional Art Competition. The winning piece from each congressional district is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel to the Capitol Building. This year's winner, Miana Smith of Grand Island, visited the Capitol to meet Congressman Kennedy and to see her art mounted in the halls of Congress. Miana and her fellow winners from across the country were honored at a ceremony in Washington, with complimentary airline tickets provided by Southwest Airlines for all winners and one guest. The theme of Congressman Kennedy’s competition this year was “Western New York: A Place For All Of Us.”

“It is wonderful to see how dedicated and inspiring young people are across Western New York,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “This competition showcases their talent, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact on Western New York. I am thrilled to congratulate Miana Smith on winning this year’s Congressional High School Art Competition for NY-26. Miana’s piece is a powerful and deeply personal tribute to what makes Western New York great. Not only does it beautifully capture this year’s theme and the welcoming spirit of Western New York, but it reflects the shared values and a sense of community that unites all Western New Yorkers.”

Below is a list of this year's winners:

2026 Winner

Name: Miana Smith

Hometown: Grand Island

Title: “Shared Awe”

Medium: Digital Photography

1st Runner Up

Name: Mya Mitchell

Hometown: Buffalo

Title: “The Hands That Lift Us”

Medium: Acrylic Paint

2nd Runner Up

Name: Jaidan Hagler

Hometown: Williamsville

Title: “The Queen City’s Secret Stage”

Medium: Photography

3rd Runner Up

Name: Vanisa Serixay

Hometown: Buffalo

Title: “Home”

Medium: Watercolor and Color Pencil on Paper

Since its inception in 1982, over 650,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional Art Competition.

Making Travel Easier: Kennedy Announces Passage of NEXUS for Families Act Through Homeland Security Committee

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy-Sponsored Legislation Requires Customs & Border Protection to Link NEXUS Applications for Families Together, Prevents Tedious Repeated Visits for NEXUS Interviews

Families can be Forced to Return to CBP Facility Multiple Times for Each Member’s Interviews, Adding Unnecessary Burden for Travelers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced that H.R.9382, the NEXUS for Families Act, has passed unanimously through the Committee on Homeland Security today, moving one step closer to eliminating the bureaucratic hurdles families face when applying for NEXUS passes. While NEXUS currently helps over 2.2 million vetted travelers cross the border between the United States and Canada, the existing process creates unnecessary obstacles for families. Under the current regulations, parents must submit separate applications for every family member, meaning a child might receive approval while a parent is delayed, or vice versa. Families cannot currently interview together and must bring even children to CBP facilities for individual screening, resulting in multiple, inconvenient trips to enrollment centers. Kennedy’s legislation modernizes and streamlines the process by requiring CBP to link family applications together.

“Travel with a family is difficult enough even without adding the further burden of multiple visits for individual NEXUS interviews,” said Congressman Kennedy. “In Western New York, visits to and from Canada are a routine activity that is made easier with a NEXUS pass. By streamlining the application and interview process, we’re cutting red tape and encouraging cross-border travel and tourism that bolsters our local economy. This legislation is common sense, and I will continue to advocate for passage through the House of Representatives.”

With this bill, an individual will be able to link family applications and schedule joint interviews for the entire household, allowing agents to conduct those interviews concurrently. The bill also allows agents to exempt children under age 14 from the interview process entirely, expediting approvals for all participating family members. By addressing these bottlenecks, the legislation resolves the current dysfunction where family members receive staggered approvals and ensures they can navigate the application process and travel together.

Kennedy’s legislation is endorsed by AKG Art Gallery, Aquarium of Niagara, Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Sports Commission, Canadian American Business Council, Destination Niagara, Explore and More, Graycliff, Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York State Restaurant Association, Niagara Aerospace Museum, Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Historic Site, The Richardson Complex, U.S. Travel, and Visit Buffalo.

Kennedy is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and serves as the ranking member on the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee.

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Eighty Years After WWII Veteran’s Honorable Discharge, Congressman Kennedy Presents Service Medals to Navy Radioman 3rd Class George Klein

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Mr. Klein, an Amherst Resident, Served in the Pacific Theater, Earning Multiple Medals in the Liberation of the Philippines

In his Centennial Year, Mr. Klein Continues to Inspire Western New Yorkers for his Commitment to Country and Community

Eight decades after receiving his honorable discharge, Congressman Tim Kennedy presented long-overdue World War II military medals to Williamsville resident and Navy veteran George L. Klein. Mr. Klein entered active service in the U.S. Navy Reserve on March 1, 1944, right after graduating high school, and rose to the rank of Radioman Third Class while serving in the Philippines with the 7th Amphibious Force. Although he was honorably discharged in May 1946, he never physically received the decorations he earned during his deployment. Following a formal inquiry launched by Representative Kennedy's office to the National Personnel Records Center and the Navy Personnel Command, the Department of the Navy officially processed and delivered Mr. Klein’s rightful awards, including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Honorable Discharge Button. He also received the Philippine Liberation Medal from the Republic of the Philippines.

"At a time when freedom was under attack across the globe by the forces of fascism and tyranny, it was brave Americans like Radioman 3rd Class George Klein who stood up to defend our values and our way of life," said Congressman Kennedy. "George has loved his country, his community, and his family with every ounce of his being. It is a profound privilege to right this decades-old historical wrong and finally present a true member of the Greatest Generation with the medals he so rightfully earned."

Beyond his wartime sacrifice, Mr. Klein has spent the last eight decades building an inspiring legacy of faith and community service in Western New York. Following his discharge, he returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Corrine, on September 14, 1946. Together, they raised four sons, welcoming six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren into a family that recently celebrated George's landmark 100th birthday. After a dedicated local career in management and sales, George answered a higher calling and was ordained as a Catholic deacon on September 20, 1992, spending his later years visiting eight area nursing homes every week to bring comfort and companionship to the sick and elderly.

Veterans and military families in need of assistance with benefits or military service medals are encouraged to contact Congressman Kennedy’s office at 716-852-3501 (Buffalo) or 716-282-1274 (Niagara Falls).

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With 15 Cosponsors, Kennedy Introduces the DHS Release Transparency Act - Legislation Introduced in Memory of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, Buffalo Refugee who Died Following DHS Release

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Co-Sponsors Include House Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng

Shah Alam, Mostly Blind, Unable to Speak English, and With Mobility Issues, Died Five Days After Being Released Alone in Parking Lot of Closed Coffee Shop in Buffalo by DHS

Washington, D.C. - Joined by House Democratic Caucus colleagues and advocates, Representative Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced the introduction of the DHS Release Transparency Act. The legislation was introduced in the wake of the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee from Burma who was mostly blind, spoke little to no English, and had mobility issues. Shah Alam was released by DHS at a closed coffee shop in Buffalo, New York at night without notification to his family and without proper clothing for the Buffalo winter. Five days after his release, as his family, police, and volunteers desperately searched for him, Mr. Shah Alam was found dead miles away from where he was dropped off. The death has been ruled a homicide by the Erie County Medical Examiner. Kennedy’s legislation would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to notify a detainee's chosen point of contact prior to release from DHS custody.

Video of Rep. Kennedy’s Press Conference Available Here

Recognizing that Shah Alam had significant communication and translation challenges while in custody, the bill requires DHS to provide translation and interpretation services throughout the entire point-of-contact (POC) notification process. This includes ensuring the detainee is made aware of the POC notification option in a language that they can understand. It also requires DHS to notify the designated point of contact in a language they can also understand prior to a detainee’s release. In order to protect families, the legislation explicitly prohibits DHS from using any of the point of contact’s information for enforcement purposes.

Kennedy’s legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Bennie G. Thompson, Jamie Raskin, Grace Meng, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, Adriano Espaillat, George Latimer, LaMonica McIver, Troy Carter, Judy Chu, Raja Krishnamoorthi, James Walkinshaw, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Nanette Barragan. This bill is endorsed by the National Immigrant Justice Center and Global Refuge.

“Like so many of our ancestors, Nurul Amin Shah Alam left his homeland in search of a brighter, safer, and more prosperous future for himself and his family” said Congressman Kennedy. “The promise of the American Dream was stolen from Mr. Shah Alam and his family and community have been left reeling in the wake of his entirely preventable death. This legislation is about empathy and kindness, ensuring that our government treats people with the dignity and respect that they deserve as fellow human beings. Contrary to DHS’s claims, Mr. Shah Alam was not left in a warm, safe place. He was abandoned at night in a cold, dark parking lot, miles from his family and with no way to find his way home. No person should go through that in the United States.”

“No family should be left wondering whether their loved one is safe after being released from DHS custody. The death of Mr. Shah Alam exposed a glaring failure that put a blind man in serious danger with tragic consequences that could have been avoided. I thank Congressman Kennedy for introducing this legislation to ensure transparency at DHS and help make sure a tragedy like this never happens again,” said Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson.

“Nobody should vanish into government custody and then be cast out alone into danger without so much as a call to their family. This bill injects a basic measure of humanity and compassion to a system that failed Nurul Amin Shah Alam in the most devastating way. I’m proud to support Rep. Kennedy's legislation and admire his leadership,” said Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin.

“DHS agents left a vulnerable man who did not speak English to die in the freezing cold and then lied to cover it up. We must hold DHS accountable for this heartbreaking tragedy. That is why I am co-sponsoring Rep. Kennedy’s DHS Release Transparency Act to bring much-needed reforms to ICE and CBP and ensure that every person has a trusted point of contact for release, regardless of the language they speak. Nurul Amin Shah Alam should still be alive today, and we will continue to demand justice in his name,” said Rep. Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

Congressman Latimer said “I am proud to join my colleague, Representative Tim Kennedy, in introducing the DHS Release Transparency Act. This is imperative for improving the communication, accountability, and basic human rights standards within our immigration system. This legislation will ensure that when an individual is released from DHS custody, a point of contact will be notified. An essential safeguard that is currently missing from the procedures of the DHS, which resulted in the tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a blind man who was dropped off at a closed coffee shop by DHS agents and died after being unable to seek shelter from cold temperatures. I remain committed to policies like this one that protect vulnerable individuals from corrupt systems.”

"The DHS Release Transparency Act is the kind of commonsense, humane policy reform that should be prioritized in Congress. Right now, there is no codified requirement that a detainee's family, attorney, or designated contact be notified when that individual is released from ICE or CBP custody. The tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam in February exposed exactly how dangerous that gap can be. He was here lawfully, he was a human being with family and legal representation, and he was released into the night with no warning to anyone who could have helped him. This bill fixes that. I'm proud to cosponsor it and to honor Mr. Shah Alam's memory with action," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

"Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic immigration policy led to the tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “The DHS Release Transparency Act is responsible legislation to make sure that others won’t meet the same fate. I am pleased to join Congressman Kennedy in introducing this important legislation to ensure that DHS no longer leaves vulnerable people alone and without potentially life-saving resources.”

“DHS should not be able to release someone from custody, walk away, and leave their family, attorney, or trusted contact in the dark,” said Congressman James Walkinshaw. “Congressman Kennedy’s DHS Release Transparency Act creates a basic safeguard that could save lives by requiring DHS to make a good faith effort to notify someone the detainee trusts before release. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Kennedy as we fight to bring transparency, oversight, and accountability to DHS from every side.”

"Mr. Shah Alam should still be alive today, but for Border Patrol's reckless disregard for his care and safety," said Azadeh Erfani, Policy Director with the National Immigrant Justice Center. "DHS has shown over and over again that it has little regard for the lives and safety of people in its custody. We applaud Congressman Kennedy for introducing this bill as a welcome act of humanity and transparency."

President and CEO of Global Refuge, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah said “Global Refuge is proud to endorse the DHS Release Transparency Act. Nurul Amin Shah Alam came to the United States through legal pathways, fleeing religious persecution and genocide. Instead of the safety he was promised, he was left by federal immigration agents — blind and alone on a freezing cold night with no way to contact his family. The DHS Release Transparency Act is a common sense and humane policy change that requires a contact be notified of an upcoming release, if a person opts-in to provide a contact to DHS. Importantly, the bill contains safeguards to provide language translation and protect the use of contact information. We urge all members of Congress to support the DHS Release Transparency Act to prevent this horrific and unacceptable tragedy from occurring again and ensure that our neighbors are treated with dignity and compassion."

Currently, neither ICE nor CBP provide notice to a point of contact or family member when a detainee is released. When a detainee is released from ICE custody, they are notified personally of the upcoming release and typically provided the opportunity to make a free phone call to facilitate release arrangements. These standards, dictated by the Performance Based National Detention Standards (issued in 2011 and revised in 2016), are not codified, vary across ICE facilities, and are not always adhered to. Shah Alam was held in CBP custody, which has no codified policy that requires notifying family or an attorney of a release. The DHS Release Transparency Act closes this gap, requiring DHS to make families aware of their loved one’s upcoming release in order to ensure their safety.

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Congressman Kennedy Presses DHS Secretary Mullin for Answers on Death of Buffalo Refugee Shah Alam

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Kennedy Demands Accountability After DHS Released Blind, Disabled Refugee Into Freezing Buffalo Winter; Secures Verbal Confirmation of Investigation From Mullin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin for answers regarding the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Buffalo refugee whose death was ruled a homicide after DHS agents released him at a closed coffee shop in below-freezing temperatures earlier this year.

Kennedy questioned Secretary Mullin directly about whether DHS is conducting any internal investigation into Alam’s death and challenged the Department’s previous claims that Alam had been released at a “warm, safe location,” despite being left at a closed Tim Hortons during a cold winter night alone, blind, separated from his family, and unable to effectively communicate in English.

Despite no formal response to any of Congressman Kennedy’s oversight letters, during their exchange Secretary Mullin verbally confirmed that DHS is investigating the incident, but refused to provide any further information to support that claim. While pressing Secretary Mullin to confirm in writing a DHS internal investigation, Congressman Kennedy added, “We want the American people to see what your department is doing. This committee deserves answers and the people of this country deserve answers.”

Congressman Kennedy's full remarks can be viewed here.

During his questioning, Kennedy noted that despite his repeated written requests to the Department, DHS has yet to provide a response or any meaningful information about the circumstances surrounding Alam’s death. Kennedy has led multiple oversight efforts related to the case, including requests for federal and state-level investigations, a visit to DHS facilities in Western New York, and correspondence with both former DHS Secretary Noem and current Secretary Mullin. Kennedy successfully solicited a state level inquiry into the matter from New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The hearing marked Secretary Mullin’s first appearance before the House Committee on Homeland Security since his confirmation in March. Kennedy used the opportunity to underscore broader concerns about accountability within DHS and the Department’s responsibility to uphold the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of every person in its custody.

This hearing comes a day after Congressman Kennedy introduced the DHS Release Transparency Act, legislation, inspired by the tragic and preventable death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam. The bill requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to notify a detainee’s chosen point of contact prior to release from DHS custody. After Shah Alam’s release from local custody, he was immediately taken into custody by DHS, who erroneously believed he lacked legal status. Upon receiving confirmation that he was indeed legally present in the U.S., the DHS agents, rather than notifying his loved ones of his status, dropped Shah Alam at an unsafe, unfamiliar location – a closed Tim Hortons restaurant on a wintery Buffalo night. Shah Alam was nearly blind, did not speak English, suffered from mobility issues, and was not equipped with proper clothing to safely be outside. He was found dead five days later in Buffalo.

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March 11 Telephone Town Hall

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:30:00 GMT

Join Representative Tim Kennedy for a telephone town hall on March 11th at 7:30PM. Representative Kennedy will provide an update on his work in Washington, answer your questions, and address the issues that affect you most.

Special guests include Letitia James, Attorney General of New York and Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-08).

To watch the Telephone Town Hall, click here.

2024 Service Academy Night

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 21:30:00 GMT

Congressman Kennedy will host the 2024 Service Academy Night at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Hohn Auditorium on the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Campus at 665 Elm Street in Buffalo. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free parking is available in the Roswell Park parking ramp.

Additional Information:

Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy, as well as the Army and Navy R.O.T.C programs will discuss the application process and be available to answer questions.

Students applying to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are required to receive a nomination from a member of Congress. The individual academies make final acceptance decisions. Students enrolled in a U.S. service academy graduate achieving a military officer rank and commit to at least five years of military service.

The deadline for students living in New York’s 26th Congressional District to apply for a nomination from Congressman Kennedy is November 1, 2024. For more information or to apply for a nomination visit: https://kennedy.house.gov/services/service-academy-nomination.htm.

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