An illegal immigrant and terrorist suspect was arrested in New York City on Monday after being released at the border three months ago. Even though authorities were aware of his alleged ties to terrorism.
South African Umar Farouk Ashraf was arrested in a Brooklyn apartment in a “multi-agency effort” to track him down, Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens said in a statement. Announced on Tuesday.
Ashraf, 18, was initially arrested in Normandy by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and taken into custody on suspicion of trespassing after illegally crossing the border in September. According to Chris OlivaresTexas DPS — South Texas Regional Public Affairs Officer.
During the detention check, the agency received an alert from the Terrorism Testing Center identifying Ashraf as a “known terrorist or the spouse or child of a suspect.”
The illegal immigrants were then turned over to federal authorities, who released them despite suspected ties to terrorism.
It is unclear when Ashraf was turned over to federal authorities and when he was released, but the terror suspect eventually made his way to the Big Apple before being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Owens said the 18-year-old was released “based on information available at the time,” but did not elaborate.
“Further investigation subsequently revealed a positive match on the terrorist watch list, prompting swift action by USBP personnel and National Targeting Center personnel,” the Border Patrol chief added.
Sources told the Post that ICE agents contacted Ashraf at his Brooklyn apartment on Monday morning on an arrest warrant.
Meanwhile, a Department of Homeland Security official derided the “serious misinformation” in the case and called Ashraf an “undoubtedly genuine” terrorist.
The terror suspect was then taken into federal custody and transferred to an ICE detention center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he told officers he feared he would be deported to South Africa.
“Thanks to a multi-agency collaboration, this potential threat was located, taken into custody, and is currently pending removal,” Owens said.
Officials also told the Post that Ashraf and his father had previously encountered Panamanian authorities during a trip to the United States, but were eventually allowed through.
Ashraf arrived in Costa Rica in July and was immediately deported to Brazil. Somehow, he ended up at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
It remains unclear which terrorist organization Ashraf is believed to belong to.
When ICE agents knocked on the door of his Brooklyn apartment on Monday, they encountered Ashraf and two of his friends.
One Spanish national, who gave his name as Hassan Ali, told the Post that four police officers came to his door early that morning and explained that Ashraf “had a warrant for his arrest.”
Officers took fingerprints from the passports of Ashraf, Ali and another person in the apartment and tested them. Ali said the passport is currently in the possession of a friend in Pakistan.
Ali defended Ashraf's innocence, saying he did not know why he was arrested when the Post revealed his alleged links to terrorism.
“I don't know these things. I believe 100% that he is innocent. They got the wrong guy, he's only 18 years old, how can you say he's a terrorist? ” he said indignantly.
Ali said Ashraf called him from the ICE detention center and asked for money and help contacting his family in South Africa.
