Immigration Authorities Release Illegal Migrant on Terror Watchlist
Federal immigration authorities reportedly released a Pakistani national who illegally crossed the southern border and was found to be on the terrorist watchlist.
According to an exclusive report by The Daily Caller, the man in question crossed the border unlawfully last November and was apprehended by authorities the following day in Tecate, California. While in the custody of the Border Patrol, it was confirmed by the Terrorism Screening Center that the individual was on the terrorist watchlist.
Details of the incident were revealed in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memo, which disclosed that despite being flagged as a terror suspect, the individual was released from ICE custody in January.
According to the memo, ICE released the terror suspect on January 23 and served him with an “Order of Release on Recognizance” under the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. This decision was made despite the individual’s presence on the terror watchlist.
“Border agents served him with an expedited removal order on Nov. 11, after which he expressed that he had a credible fear of going back to Pakistan, according to the memo.”
“On Jan. 24, however, the ICE office in San Diego informed the agency’s office in Los Angeles of his presence on the terror watchlist, along with his “mandatory detention requirement,” and had him report on his own to the ATD check-in office. ICE Los Angeles was able to arrest him when he showed up for the check-in.”
The Daily Caller
The release of a terror suspect who entered the United States raises obvious concerns about border security and the potential for similar cases to go undetected. One DHS official made this point to The Daily Caller, stating “Imagine how many cases like this one get through without us knowing.”
This incident further highlights the crisis that has been unfolding at our southern border over the past few years. TPUSA Frontlines has previously reported on the unprecedented surge in illegal migrants coming into the country, and how federal authorities have seemingly done little to combat the problem.
