Uzbek refugee deported from U.S. after being convicted of supporting foreign terrorist group

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Friday deported to Uzbekistan a refugee and permanent U.S. resident who was convicted of providing support to the Islamic Jihad Union, a terrorist organization.

Jamshid Muhtorov and his family came to the United States in 2007 as political refugees after claiming to be prosecuted by the ruling regime of Uzbekistan. In 2012, Muhtov was arrested at O'Hare Airport in Chicago while en route to Turkey. He was convicted following a 19-day trial in Denver in 2018, according to an ICE press release.

Murhtov in 2013 became the first person notified by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that evidence was gathered against him using a warrantless wiretap.

A DOJ press release states that Muhtorov swore allegiance to the Islamic Jihadist Union and even "told his eight year old daughter to 'pray for your Daddy to become a martyr….' "

Muhtorov was initially sentenced to 11 years in prison followed by "15 years of supervised release" and transfer to ICE custody for removal proceedings.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) partnered with the Colorado federal public defender's office to claim Muhtorov's due process was violated by National Security Agency's warrantless surveillance. They also stated that the years-long delay before Muhtorov's trial violated the Speedy Trial Act.  

The 10th Circuit Court in December 2021 ruled that the government surveillance and the trial delay were lawful.

The 45-year-old convicted terrorist supporter was transferred by ICE's Philadelphia Enforcement and Removal Operations to authorities in Uzbekistan Friday.

"ICE is committed to removing individuals who threaten our country’s national security," ICE official Brian McShane said. "This case is an example of the work we do to protect the homeland from those who wish to do harm to our country."