Copyright 2024 Patriot Mom Digest
In a shocking revelation, it has been uncovered that the DHS mistakenly released a terrorist watchlist individual, Mohammad Kharwin, into the U.S. twice, only recognizing the blunder after media intervention.
An egregious error has come to light involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its handling of a high-risk individual, Mohammad Kharwin. Breitbart reported that this error has put eyes on the Biden administration who now have to explain why they are allowing terrorists to threaten the United States.
Kharwin, a 48-year-old Afghan national identified as a member of the terrorist group Hezb-e-Islami, found his way into the United States, not once, but twice, due to oversight by the DHS.
On March 10, 2023, Kharwin initially crossed into the U.S. from Mexico near the San Ysidro, California border. Despite the Border Patrol's suspicions regarding Kharwin's placement on the government's terrorist watchlist, they lacked precise information regarding his association with Hezb-e-Islami. This critical gap in intelligence led to Kharwin's release into the U.S. interior, an action facilitated by Biden's catch-and-release policy.
Following his release, Kharwin was enrolled in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. This program mandates migrants to check in with the agency through geo-tracking after their release. Subsequently, Kharwin applied for asylum and received a work permit, which granted him the freedom to seek employment in the U.S. and travel on domestic flights.
In February 2023, the FBI alerted ICE to Kharwin’s past affiliations with terrorism in Afghanistan. Reacting to this new intelligence, ICE agents arrested him on February 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Following his arrest, Kharwin appeared before a federal immigration judge on March 28. The judge, reportedly unaware of Kharwin’s ties to terrorism, allowed him to bond out of ICE custody for $12,000 on March 30.
Despite his bond, the judge did not impose any restrictions on Kharwin, merely requiring him to appear in court the following year. This decision, not contested by ICE officials, underscores the systemic lapses within the immigration and security mechanisms.
The oversight was publicly acknowledged after an NBC News report unveiled the mishandlings by DHS. A DHS official addressed the initial oversight, stating, “At the time of the initial encounter, the information in the record could not have provided a conclusive match.” However, once evidence of Kharwin's potential threat emerged, swift action was taken to rectify the mistake. “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 official further clarified.
Kharwin's case, now under federal custody following the exposé by NBC News, highlights significant flaws in the U.S.'s border security and immigration processes. The DHS's belated action, only prompted by media intervention, raises grave concerns about the effectiveness of the U.S.'s mechanisms to identify and mitigate potential threats at its borders.
The sequence of events leading to Kharwin's re-arrest exposes a troubling exercise of oversight and judgment by DHS and ICE officials. Initially, the lack of precise information and ensuing policy allowed a known member of a terrorist organization to assimilate unchecked within the U.S. His enrollment in the ATD program and the subsequent issuance of a work permit and allowance for domestic travel demonstrated significant gaps in the security and vetting process.
It wasn’t until the media spotlight that the serious nature of Kharwin’s background prompted a reevaluation of his status in the U.S., leading to his re-arrest by DHS officials. This turn of events underscores the critical role of investigative journalism in upholding public safety and scrutinizing the actions of governmental agencies.
In conclusion, the case of Mohammad Kharwin paints a stark picture of the lapses within the U.S.'s border security and oversight mechanisms. Initially released twice into the U.S. interior despite being on a terrorist watchlist, his ultimate arrest following media intervention begs a reevaluation of current practices. The DHS and ICE's oversight, alongside the critical gap in intelligence sharing and vetting, illuminated the systemic flaws that risked public safety. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the paramount importance of rigorous security protocols and the indispensable role of diligent media scrutiny in safeguarding national security.