An Afghan migrant on the terrorism watch list spent a year in the United States after being released by the Border Patrol.
Mohammad Kharwin, 48, a member of a “virulently anti-Western” group, was apprehended while illegally entering San Ysidro, California, in March 2023.
But he was released and allowed to travel the country after a judge ruled he did not pose a threat to national security, according to NBC News.
Nearly a year later, the FBI notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement that he was a suspected member of the U.S.-designated foreign terrorist group Hezb-e-Islami (HIG).
Kharwin was free on bond and awaiting an immigration hearing in 2025 when he was finally taken into custody in February.
An Afghan migrant on the terrorism watch list spent a year in the United States after being released by the Border Patrol, a shocking new report has revealed. Migrants line up along Texas wall in March
Supporters attend a rally by Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 5, 2017.
In an aerial view, morning commuter traffic waits to cross into the United States from Tijuana, Mexico on March 6, 2024 in San Ysidro, California.
A source familiar with the matter said: “Based on the information available, there is no reason to believe that this individual entered the country as part of a terrorist mission.”
The National Counterterrorism Center says HIG is responsible for the deaths of several Americans and that it adheres to a “virulently anti-Western” ideology.
They were behind attacks that killed at least nine American soldiers and civilians between 2013 and 2015.
It’s another shocking development at the border that has seen several terrorist suspects enter the United States and seen a historic increase in crossings since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.
The Department of Homeland Security said the Border Patrol did not “knowingly” release a person on the terrorism watch list.
“At the time of the first meeting, the information in the file could not have provided a conclusive match,” a spokesperson said. “As soon as there was information suggesting that this individual was a matter of concern, he was taken into custody by ICE.
“Law enforcement has been following the case closely to protect against risks to public safety.”
Mohammad Kharwin, 48, a member of the “virulently anti-Western” group, was apprehended while illegally entering San Ysidro, California, in March 2023 (stock image)
Nearly a year later, the FBI notified Immigration and Customs Enforcement that he was a suspected member of the U.S.-designated foreign terrorist group Hezb-e-Islami (HIG). Migrants are seen at a railroad crossing in El Paso, Texas, last month
Hezb-e Islami party leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar holds a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 4, 2018.
Border agents stopped Kharwin and initially detained him because he matched information about a suspected terrorist.
But authorities didn’t have the evidence to keep him in custody and referred him to ICE’s Alternatives to Detention program.
HIG is an Afghan political party and paramilitary organization, founded in 1976.
Supporters attend a rally by Hezb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 5, 201
He was responsible for registering with border agents by telephone. Kharwin was then able to apply for asylum, find work, and then use domestic flights within the United States.
The judge placed no restrictions on his movements and only asked him to return to court a year later.
The Department of Homeland Security told NBC News that Customs and Border Protection did not “knowingly” release a person on the terrorist watch list.
At the time of the first meeting, the information contained in the file could not have allowed for a conclusive correspondence,” a spokesperson said.
“As soon as there was information suggesting that this individual was of concern, he was taken into custody by ICE. Law enforcement is monitoring the case closely to protect against risks to public safety.
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