National Security

Iraqi Refugee Sentenced For Trying To Help ISIS

REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Alex Pfeiffer White House Correspondent
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An Iraqi refugee living in Houston was sentenced Monday to 16 years in federal prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State.

Omar Faraj Saeed Al Harden, 25, entered the U.S. as a refugee in 2009 and became a legal permanent resident in 2011. Al Harden is one of several refugees who have been involved with terrorism in the U.S., including Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a Somali refugee, who attacked Ohio State University students with his car and a knife last year.

Al Harden had a relationship with a confidential informant and discussed with that informant traveling overseas to fight with ISIS. He specifically talked about building remote detonators.

“Upon his arrest in January 2016, investigators discovered training CDs on how to build remote detonators, electronic circuitry components, tools used to build circuitry, multiple cell phones (that had not been activated), a prayer list for committing Jihad and becoming a martyr and the ISIL flag,” the Justice Department said in a press release.

Trump administration policies have led to a sharp decrease in refugee admissions. particularly those who are Muslim. (RELATED: Trump’s Enhanced Vetting Is Having a Huge Impact On Refugee Admissions)

Trump repeatedly warned about the terror threat from refugees during his campaign.

U.S. retaliates after ISIS-inspired attack in New York City.