A man who jumped naked off the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City last weekend has been identified as a Central Asian ‘migrant’ who is likely in the U.S. illegally, according to federal sources.
On Sunday afternoon, Galymzhan Abaildayev climbed to the top of the bridge’s north tower, stripped naked, planted a foreign flag, and then jumped into the East River, NYPD says.
Incredibly, 44-year-old Abaildayev survived the fall of roughly 275 feet into the water and was hospitalized in stable condition.
UPDATE: Brooklyn Bridge Jumper Identified as 'Migrant' From Kazakhstan Who Is Likely in the US Illegally
A man who jumped naked off the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City last weekend has been identified as a Central Asian 'migrant' who is likely in the U.S. illegally, according… https://t.co/3qdS2DZTHN pic.twitter.com/ZgNYRTPtNV
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) August 6, 2026
Authorities reportedly recovered paraphernalia Abaildayev left on the tower, including a flag of Kazakhstan and a blanket and bathrobe that had writing on them.
Abaildayev’s Turkish roommate told the New York Post his crazed friend was a fervent activist against the government of Kazakhstan and had planned the stunt to occur on his birthday.
“I always tell him, ‘Can you change anything in Kazakhstan? No, you can’t, so live your life, brother,’” the roommate explained.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that Abaildayev is an alien from Kazakhstan who has entered the U.S. at least 10 times and is currently in the country under dubious circumstances after overstaying a visa that expired during the Biden regime.
Abaildayev “entered the country on July 5, 2009, on a visa and has made approximately nine subsequent entries,” DHS told Border Hawk.
“On May 20, 2022, he entered on a visa that would allow him to remain in the country until November 19, 2022. On April 4, 2023, he applied for employment authorization, which was approved and was valid through April 28, 2025. On March 30, 2025, he filed another application for employment authorization, which was approved and is valid through September 3, 2030.”
Abaildayev is likely in the U.S. illegally at this time, according to federal insider Hart Celler.
“The work permit confers no legal immigration status. He could be here lawfully, like if he applied for asylum, but ‘legal status’ and ‘lawful presence’ are not synonymous. Someone who was admitted and hasn’t overstayed has both, while an illegal who was a border crosser and never been encountered before would have neither,” Hart Celler explained.
“My inference is that he’s an illegal alien who overstayed a six-month admission. He’s been issued a work permit for some reason, meaning he’s likely pursuing some sort of status, but that alone provides none.”
Abaildayev has reportedly been charged with reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
