DHS Arrests Afghan National with Prior Indecent Exposure Conviction

DHS Press Releases

Filed March 16th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

DHS announced the arrest of an Afghan national, Basir Ahmad Safi, who was paroled into the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome and later convicted of indecent exposure to a minor. Safi faces multiple charges including lewd or lascivious exhibition and child abuse.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the arrest of Basir Ahmad Safi, an Afghan national who was granted parole into the U.S. under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome. Safi was arrested by Jacksonville, Florida authorities in September 2023 and charged with multiple offenses, including lewd or lascivious exhibition, soliciting a child via computer, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and child abuse, stemming from a conviction for indecent exposure to a minor. His status was revoked, and he is currently in ICE custody pending removal.

This announcement highlights concerns regarding the vetting process for individuals admitted under Operation Allies Welcome and emphasizes a shift in enforcement priorities under the Trump administration to identify and remove public safety threats. Regulated entities, particularly those involved in immigration processing or public safety, should be aware of the scrutiny applied to parole programs and the potential for enforcement actions related to individuals with prior criminal convictions, especially those involving minors. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned, the case underscores the importance of robust background checks and ongoing monitoring of individuals admitted under humanitarian parole programs.

What to do next

Review vetting procedures for individuals admitted under humanitarian parole programs.
Ensure robust background checks are conducted for all individuals seeking entry or status.
Monitor ICE and USCIS updates regarding enforcement actions related to immigration parolees.

Penalties

Safi is being held in ICE custody pending removal. The charges include potential penalties related to lewd or lascivious exhibition, soliciting a child via computer, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and child abuse.

Source document (simplified)

Home
News
Press Releases
DHS Law Enforcement Arrests Afghan National Previously Convicted of Indecent Exposure to a Minor Who Entered U.S. Under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome

DHS Law Enforcement Arrests Afghan National Previously Convicted of Indecent Exposure to a Minor Who Entered U.S. Under Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome

Release Date: March 16, 2026
Operation Allies Welcome let thousands of unvetted Afghan nationals, including terrorists, sexual predators, pedophiles, domestic abusers, and kidnappers into our country

WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest of an Afghan national who was granted asylum under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) and later convicted of indecent exposure to a minor.

Basir Ahmad Safi, who in 2021 was paroled into the United States under the Biden administration, was arrested in September 2023 by the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff's Office and charged with lewd or lascivious exhibition, soliciting a child via computer, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and child abuse. Safi was convicted of indecent exposure to a minor.

Basir Ahmad Safi

“This unvetted Afghan pedophile was let into our country by the Biden administration. He should NEVER have been allowed into our country or given the opportunity to prey on innocent children. Operation Allies Welcome was a Biden-era parole program that let thousands of unvetted Afghan nationals including terrorists, sexual predators, pedophiles, domestic abusers, and kidnappers into our country,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Under President Trump’s leadership, DHS has been focused on identifying, arresting, and removing public safety threats like Basir Ahmad Safi from our country.”

Safi was arrested on March 11 as part of a joint Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) investigation. At the time of his arrest, Safi’s status had been revoked, and he was unlawfully residing in the U.S. He will be held in ICE custody pending removal.

The Biden administration relied on unvetted referrals to admit nearly 190,000 Afghan nationals into the U.S. Understanding this massive threat to American national security, the Trump administration halted Afghan refugee resettlement on January 20. President Trump and DHS suspended entry of Afghan nationals.