US Authorities Arrest Afghan National Basir Ahmad Safi on Child Abuse Charges

US authorities have arrested Afghan national Basir Ahmad Safi on child abuse charges, the US Department of Homeland Security said.

Safi entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program launched to resettle Afghans evacuated following the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. He was first arrested in September 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida, on charges including indecent exposure, child enticement and misuse of communication devices. Officials said Safi was convicted of child abuse and his immigration status was revoked, leaving him without legal status in the country.

Safi was re-arrested on March 11 in a joint operation by Homeland Security Investigations and US Citizenship and Immigration Services. He is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement awaiting deportation.

The US Department of Homeland Security provided details of the arrest. Operation Allies Welcome resettled tens of thousands of Afghans after the Taliban takeover, with the program initially praised for its speed but later facing criticism over vetting procedures. Congressional reviews and reports have highlighted concerns about screening during the evacuation, citing isolated cases of individuals later accused of serious crimes.

The case has prompted renewed discussion in the United States on immigration screening processes, weighing humanitarian obligations against security measures as officials review related policies.