Fact Sheet: Success Stories – ICE Uses Immigration and Customs Authorities to Address National Security Threats
June 25, 2012
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Removes Man Who Tried to Purchase C4 Explosives
On Oct. 14, 2006, ICE removed Sayed Malike to Afghanistan. Malike came to the attention of ICE via the FBI because he attempted to purchase C4 explosives, night vision goggles, bullet proof vests and drugs from an undercover FBI agent. He was charged in the Eastern District of New York with the crime of lying to a law enforcement officer. Malike pleaded guilty to this offense on Nov. 2, 2005. ICE placed him in removal proceedings based on this conviction. On June 1, 2006, an immigration judge ordered Malike removed from the United States.
ICE Removes Admitted Terrorist and Aspiring Weapons Procurer to India
On Oct. 16, 2006, ICE successfully removed Jasvir Singh to India. An immigration judge ordered Singh’s removal on May 15, 2006, after ICE presented evidence that Singh attempted to purchase large quantities of weapons, including surface to air missiles, from undercover FBI agents. Singh told the agents that he was a member of Babbar Khalsa, a terrorist group in India, and that the weapons would be used against the government of India.
ICE Removes Man Who Advocated for the Destruction of Israel
On Jan. 4, 2007, ICE removed Fawaz Damrah to the West Bank, pursuant to an order of removal issued by an immigration judge. Damrah, the former spiritual leader of the Islamic Center in Cleveland, came to the attention of ICE after videotapes depicted him advocating violence towards Israel and Jewish people. ICE seized the videotapes when they executed search warrants at the home and business of Sami Al-Arian, the leader of the defunct Islamic Committee for Palestine. The Islamic Committee for Palestine had ties to terrorist groups in the Middle East that advocated the destruction of Israel. In December 2003, Damrah was indicted in federal court for unlawfully procuring U. S. citizenship, based on the fact that he had concealed his membership in the Islamic Committee for Palestine and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Damrah was convicted in June 2004, and subsequently sentenced to prison, house arrest and probation. Damrah’s U.S. citizenship was revoked in September 2004, and he was subsequently placed in removal proceedings by ICE, charged with material support to a terrorist group.
Man Pleads Guilty to Supporting a Foreign Terrorist Organization
HSI special agents in Washington, D.C., initiated an investigation into Jubair Ahmad. Ahmad created a Lashkar-e-Taiba propaganda video on YouTube at the direction of the organization’s leadership. Lashkar-e-Taiba is a Pakistani organization that took responsibility for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people. He was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. On April 13, Ahmed was sentenced to 12 years in prison for providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Uzbekistan National Pleads Guilty to Supporting Terrorist Activity
HSI special agents in Birmingham, Ala., conducted an investigation which subsequently led to the arrest of Ulugbek Koridov, an Uzbekistan national who entered the United States in 2009 as a J-1 exchange visitor. Koridov, whose visa was revoked in 2010, was charged as an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. He has since pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorist activity, threatening to assassinate the president of the United States and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Two Individuals Plead Guilty to Federal Terrorism Charges
HSI special agents in Louisville, Ky., participated in an investigation that ultimately led to the arrest and indictment of Waad Ramadan Alwan and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, both of whom were Iraqi refugees. The two were indicted on federal terrorism charges, as well as murder of a U.S. citizen engaged in official duties. Alwan and Hammadi conspired to have money and weapons shipped to Iraq to support the activities of al-Qaeda. Alwan has since pleaded guilty to a 23-count indictment charging him with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and conspiracy to possess and export a device designed to launch an incendiary weapon.
Colorado Man Arrested for Providing Material Support to a Terrorist Organization
HSI special agents in Denver, Colo., participated in the investigation of Jamshid Muhtorov, who was arrested for providing and attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Muhtorov indicated that he planned to travel overseas where he intended to fight on behalf of the Islamic Jihad Union, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Man Indicted for Conspiracy to Murder a Foreign Official and Use a Weapon of Mass Destruction
HSI special agents in Houston, Texas, were instrumental in the tracking, indictment and ultimate arrest of Mansour Arbabsiar, who allegedly worked with members of the Iranian government in a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States. He also allegedly targeted the Israeli and Saudi Arabian embassies in Washington, D.C., and Argentina. Arbabsiar was arrested and subsequently indicted on charges including conspiracy to murder a foreign official and conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction.
Man Arrested After Acquiring Several Firearms and Explosives
HSI special agents in Tampa, Fla., assisted in the investigation of Sami Osmakac, who was arrested after he acquired physical possession of several firearms and explosives as part of a Joint Terrorism Task Force undercover operation. Osmakac expressed a desire to conduct a violent attack in the Tampa area and sought assistance in constructing a car bomb and purchasing weapons and explosives.
