More than a dozen Republican lawmakers are demanding to know why the Department of Justice released two illegal Jordanian migrants who “tried to breach” Marine Corps Base Quantico, The Post has learned.
The lawmakers, led by Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, penned a letter to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia blasting the decision to cut Hasan Yousef Hamdan, 32, and Mohammad Khair Dabous, 28, loose on the condition they show up to court for their immigration proceedings and stay away from Quantico or other military bases.
“The pair were released despite not only their statuses as illegal aliens who are subject to removal but also their having trespassed on a U.S. military installation, an act which is potentially connected to current or future terrorist activity,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter obtained by The Post.
“Furthermore, their release was conditioned on a promise to appear in court at a future date despite the fact that a large number of illegal aliens released with similar agreements never attend their future court proceedings.”
Republican lawmakers wrote. Steve Helber
Hamdan and Dabous were initially let go by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite their immigration statuses after they were arrested May 3 for trespassing onto the military base, law enforcement sources previously told The Post.
A magistrate judge with the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia then ordered their release again on July 22 on misdemeanor trespassing charges.
The lawmakers asked the US Attorney’s office if it’s possible the pair were conducting a dry-run for a future terrorist attack “similar to how the 9/11 hijackers flew multiple flights with box cutters to test airport security before planning their act of terror.”
Homeland Security records obtained by The Post didn’t state that either of the two men is on a terror watchlist.
A spokesperson for the US Attorney’s office didn’t immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Hamdan crossed the southern border illegally in April, while Dabous came to the US on a student visa, which he overstayed, per sources.
When they were released in early June from ICE detention, they posted bail — with Hamdan’s set at $15,000 and Dabous’ set at $10,000.
The two Jordanian nationals — who were charged with misdemeanor trespassing on military property —appeared before a judge for the first time on July 22.
The pair was ordered released on the conditions that they show up to court for their immigration cases and stay away from military bases, according to court documents, which were first reported by Todd Bensman of the Center for Immigration Studies.
The two Jordanian nationals claimed they worked for an Amazon subcontractor and were seeking to get on base to make a delivery, Capt. Michael Curtis, a spokesman for the base, previously told The Post.
However, the military guards determined that the two didn’t have any business being there.
The two men still tried to drive their box truck onto the base, ignoring the guards’ instructions. They were quickly stopped by additional anti-vehicle barriers.
“It is clear now that this administration values the desires of illegal aliens—including those who intend to commit acts of terror—over the safety of American citizens,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Not only does this administration allow suspected terrorists to cross the southwest border and parole them into the country, but even when those same individuals engage in potential terrorist activity this administration continues to release them into the country based simply on promises to reappear at court hearings.,”
