Uzbek national detained in the U.S. on terrorism charges

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 31-year-old Uzbek immigrant A.B., suspecting him of involvement in terrorism-related activities, according to Fox News.

Reports indicate that A.B. was wanted in Uzbekistan in 2022 on suspicion of links to a terrorist organization. He faced charges of spreading terrorist propaganda online, promoting jihad, and recruiting others to join such activities.

ICE reports that A.B. entered the United States illegally in February 2023. He was initially stopped by border patrol but later released. Subsequently, he obtained work authorization and a commercial driver’s license in the U.S. On 9 November this year, he was arrested by ICE while working as a truck driver in Kansas.

The arrest is linked to measures implemented during former President Donald Trump’s administration to strengthen oversight of commercial driving privileges for immigrants. These measures followed a fatal traffic accident in Florida involving a foreign truck driver. At the time, a 28-year-old Indian national violated traffic rules while driving a truck, causing a crash that resulted in three deaths.

Previously, California authorities announced the cancellation of 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses for immigrant drivers who had exceeded the allowed work period. Officials noted that in California, the validity periods of driver’s licenses and work permits must coincide. On 6 November this year, drivers received warning letters informing them of upcoming license expirations within 60 days.