NBC News has reported that Mohammad Kharwin, an Afghan migrant identified on the U.S. terror watchlist, was released into the United States twice by border agents after illegally crossing near San Ysidro, California, in March of 2023. Customs and Border Protection identified Kharwin as a member of Hezb-i-Islami (HIG), which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist organization. Despite suspicions, lack of sufficient evidence to confirm his status on the watchlist led to his release.
Officials did not notify the FBI or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which allowed Kharwin to seek asylum, work and travel within the U.S.
In February 2024, ICE detained Kharwin again. He was later released on $12,000 bail and given freedom within the U.S., with a requirement to appear at a future court hearing.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that Customs and Border Protection did not knowingly release anyone on the terrorist watchlist.
“At the time of the initial encounter, the information in the record could not have provided a conclusive match. As soon as there was information to suggest that this individual was of concern, he was taken into custody by ICE,” a department spokesperson said.
This incident occurs amid record numbers of migrant crossings into the U.S., with less than 0.1% of all encounters involving individuals on the terrorist watchlist.
NBC News analysis shows a slight decrease in migrants on the terrorist watchlist encountered at U.S. borders under the Biden administration, averaging 0.02%, compared to 0.05% during the Trump administration.
Since the beginning of the year, Border Patrol has encountered over 366,000 migrants at the southern border.
Homeland Security confirmed Kharwin’s arrest Thursday, April 11, marking his third arrest since his illegal entry into the U.S. Officials emphasize there is currently no evidence he entered the U.S. for a terrorist mission.
