The Philadelphia branch of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended a Russian citizen suspected of affiliation with Al Qaeda. This individual, a 39-year-old man originally from Tajikistan, was taken into custody on May 23, 2025, and is considered a fugitive wanted internationally, as per the announcement from ICE this week.
Director Brian McShane of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia stated, “The arrest of individuals connected to terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda. reinforces our steadfast dedication to protecting the homeland.” He further noted that “through effective cooperation with our esteemed partners at the FBI, we have undertaken significant measures to enhance community safety and mitigate potential threats to the American populace.”
The subject of this arrest had previously encountered law enforcement at the San Ysidro Pedestrian West point of entry in California in March 2023, where he was deemed an inadmissible alien under the Immigration and Nationality Act due to his lack of an immigrant visa. Following this initial encounter, he received a notice to appear before an immigration judge and was subsequently paroled into the United States.
However, earlier this month, authorities in Tajikistan classified him as a fugitive. Following his recent arrest, ICE reported that this individual will remain in custody as they process his removal from the United States.
In related activities, ICE conducted a worksite raid at a car wash in Philadelphia in January, resulting in the apprehension of seven undocumented immigrants—six from Mexico and one from the Dominican Republic.
