U.S. authorities informed that Border Patrol agents arrested and released an Afghan migrant on the terrorism blacklist last year, who spent over a year in the U.S. An immigration court who was unaware of his national security threat released the man last month after his February arrest.
After his arrest, border authorities assumed he was on the U.S. terrorist watchlist because one piece of information matched. U.S. authorities said the agents lacked corroborating intelligence, which they failed to explain, to prove Kharwin was the suspect.
U.S. sources claimed Customs and Border Protection discharged Kharwin like any other migrant after processing his biometric data without informing ICE of probable terrorism ties.
ICE's Alternatives to Detention Program required Kharwin to call an officer periodically. Officials said he applied for asylum, work authorization, and domestic flights in the U.S.
Detention and deportation of national security concerns is prioritized by the Biden administration. DHS representative claimed CBP did not “knowingly” release a terrorist watchlist person after this report was published.
"The record could not have provided a conclusive match at the initial encounter," the official added. After receiving information that this person was of concern, ICE arrested him. Law enforcement is constantly monitoring the case to safeguard public safety.”
ICE received FBI intelligence in February that Kharwin may have terrorist affiliations and threaten national security. On Feb. 28, nearly a year after he was freed near the border, ICE officers arrested Kharwin in San Antonio, sources said.
Two U.S. sources said ICE prosecutors did not provide the judge secret evidence about Kharwin's ties to HIG in court. Sources said prosecutors argued he should be kept without bond because he was a flight risk but not a national security danger.
Follow for more updates