ICE removes terrorist to Pakistan

MIAMI - A Pakistani national convicted for conspiracy to levy war against the U. S government through terrorism was removed Thursday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Miami.

Hamad Riaz Samana, 26, was admitted to the United States at Los Angeles, CA as a lawful permanent resident on Aug. 5, 2000. After Samana admitted membership in the JAM'IYYAT UL-ISLAM IS-SAHEEH cell during an FBI interview, he was arrested on Aug. 2, 2005.

On Aug. 31, 2005, Samana was indicted for terrorism-related conspiracy charges, and 11 counts of robbery. Subsequently, on Aug. 17, 2009, Samana was convicted in the Central District of California for conspiracy to levy war against the U. S government through terrorism and sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.

On Aug. 30, Samana entered ICE ERO custody after he was served with a notice to appear charging him as removable on several grounds, including under section 237(a)(2)(D)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as an alien convicted of a crime relating to treason and sedition. On Sept. 30, Samana was ordered removed to Pakistan by an immigration judge.

"ICE removals of identified terrorists and those individuals that have intent to do harm against the United States are critical in securing America's borders and safeguarding the country," said Marc Moore, field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Miami. "ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens and those who are a threat to the national security of the United States and as a result, our communities are safer and more secure."

Upon his Nov. 18 arrival in Pakistan, Samana was turned over to Pakistani law enforcement.