A report revealed that the Biden administration twice released an Afghan migrant into the US interior who was later found to be on a federal terrorist watchlist.
Mohammad Kharwin first crossed the southern border in March 2023 and was released under Catch and Release despite suspicions he was on the watchlist due to lack of precise information.
As with millions of other releases, Kharwin was permitted to apply for asylum and work.
Almost a year later, the FBI notified that Kharwin had ties to the terrorist group Hezb-e-Islami. He was arrested in February but a judge allowed his $12,000 bond release in March without restrictions, which ICE did not appeal.
DHS claimed initial information could not conclusively identify Kharwin but they took custody after his terrorism ties were clear.
“At the time of the initial encounter, the information in the record could not have provided a conclusive match,” a DHS official stated. “As soon as there was information to suggest that this individual was of concern, he was taken into custody by ICE. Law enforcement has been tracking the matter closely to protect against public safety risks.”
The report suggests the Biden administration failed to identify and detain a potential terrorist who was released into the country.
