By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-20 22:14:52 | Updated at 2024-12-21 01:59:28
3 hours ago
An illegal migrant and suspected terrorist was arrested in New York City Monday after he was released at the border three months ago — despite authorities being aware of his alleged terror ties.
Umar Farooq Ashraf, from South Africa, was nabbed at a Brooklyn apartment in a “multi-agency effort” to track him down, Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens announced Tuesday.
Ashraf, 18, was initially busted by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers in Normandy in September after crossing the border illegally and detained on charges of criminal trespass, according to Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas DPS — South Texas Region.
During a screening while in their custody, the agency received an alert from the Terror Screening Center identifying Ashraf as a “spouse or child of a known or suspected terrorist.”
The illegal migrant was then transferred over to federal authorities, who then released him despite the suspected terror ties.
It is unclear when Ashraf was handed off to the feds and when he was released, but the suspected terrorist made his way to the Big Apple before he was finally nabbed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Owens said the 18-year-old was released “based on information available at the time,” without elaborating.
“A further subsequent investigation revealed a positive match on the terrorist watchlist, prompting swift action by USBP agents and personnel at the National Targeting Center,” the Border Patrol chief added.
ICE officers made contact with Ashraf at his apartment in Brooklyn Monday morning on an arrest warrant, sources told The Post.
A Homeland Security source, meanwhile, scoffed about a “major lapse in intelligence” in the case, calling Ashraf “a real deal” terrorist “without a doubt.”
The suspected terrorist was then taken into federal custody and transported to the ICE detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he told officers he feared being deported back to South Africa.
“Thanks to the coordination of multiple agencies, this potential threat was located, taken into custody, and is now pending removal,” Owens said.
Sources also told The Post that Ashraf and his father were previously encountered by authorities in Panama while making the trek to the US, but were ultimately allowed to pass through.
When Ashraf reached Costa Rica in July, he was swiftly deported to Brazil. Somehow, he still eventually reached the US-Mexico border.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) didn’t respond to The Post’s request for comment.
It remains unclear which terror organization Ashraf is believed to have affiliation to.
When ICE officers knocked on the door of the Brooklyn apartment Monday, they encountered Ashraf and two friends.
One, a citizen of Spain who said his name was Hassan Ali, told The Post that four officers came to the door early that morning and explained they “have an arrest warrant” for Ashraf.
The officers fingerprinted and checked the passports of Ashraf, Ali and another individual in the apartment, which Ali said is owned by their friend, who is currently in Pakistan.
Ali said he didn’t know why Ashraf was apprehended, defending his innocence when The Post revealed the suspected terror ties.
“I don’t know these things. I 100% believe he’s innocent. They got the wrong guy, he’s only 18 years old, why can you say that he’s a terrorist?” he fumed.
Ali said Ashraf called him from the ICE detention center and asked for money and help getting in touch with his family back in South Africa.
