A Pakistani man named Asif Raza Merchant, who was on the terror watchlist and had close ties to Iran, was granted entry into the United States under a special parole program despite his background. Merchant, who was later charged with plotting to assassinate Donald Trump and other government figures, was allowed to enter the country through “significant public benefit parole.”
According to government documents obtained by Just The News, Merchant was interviewed by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force upon his arrival at Houston’s George Bush International Airport in April. The task force fingerprinted him and inspected his electronic devices, yet allowed him to stay in the country under a parole status that expired on May 11. Despite this expiration date, Merchant remained in the U.S.
The FBI’s interview memo described Merchant as “polite and cooperative” and noted his recent travel to Iran. The memo also stated that Merchant was “released without incident” and permitted to travel to his desired destination, which was a family member’s home in Texas.
Immigration records flagged Merchant in the Department of Homeland Security database as a “WATCH LIST” and a “Lookout Qualified Person of Interest.” Despite these warnings, Merchant was not detained at that time.
Merchant was eventually arrested on July 12 and charged with conspiring to assassinate Trump and other officials. He had been plotting with an individual whom he believed could assist him, but who instead reported him to law enforcement and became a confidential source. Merchant had attempted to hire hitmen and was planning to leave the country on the same day he was arrested.
Law enforcement officials told Just The News that the parole granted to Merchant was intended to give agents the opportunity to potentially turn him into a cooperator or to uncover more information about his activities and associations in the U.S.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notes that there is “no statutory or regulatory definition of ‘significant public benefit,'” but that it can include law enforcement, national security reasons, or other considerations. USCIS officers review the specific circumstances of each case when granting such parole.