Suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist detained by ICE in Philly

Immigration authorities have arrested a Tajikistan-born Russian national who is a suspected member of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. The foreign national was taken into custody in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

According to ICE, the immigration agency took the 39-year-old male into custody on May 23. “Arresting individuals linked to terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda reaffirms our unwavering commitment to safeguard the homeland. Through close collaboration with our outstanding partners at the FBI, we have taken decisive action to make our communities safer and prevent potential threats to the American people,” ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane said. 

McShane added, "I commend the dedicated men and women of ICE and the FBI for their tireless efforts and steadfast resolve in protecting this great nation."

According to federal authorities, the foreign national was able to gain entry to the United States through the San Ysidro Pedestrian West point of entry in California on March 21, 2023, under the Biden administration. At the time, he was charged with being an inadmissible alien, and given a notice to appear before an immigration judge in the United States. 

Earlier in the month, Tajikistan officials classified the individual as a fugitive and an alleged member of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. 

"It is alleged that he is or was a member of Al-Qaeda," ICE added in a statement. "After his arrest, this individual was detained in ICE custody, where he will remain pending removal from the U.S." 

The announcement of the arrest comes on the heels of a terrorist attack on Boulder, Colorado, where an illegal immigrant from Egypt has been charged with attempted murder in a Molotov cocktail attack against a number of pro-Israel demonstrators.