The Kabul Tribune (KT) — An Afghan man who illegally crossed into the United States from Canada has pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry and was sentenced to 51 days in jail, federal prosecutors said.
Khan Afsar Ahmadzai, 30, of Kabul, Afghanistan, admitted
that he entered the United States on June 3 by walking across the international
boundary near Champlain, New York, while avoiding immigration and customs
inspection, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District
of New York.
Ahmadzai was subsequently apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol
agents.
Federal prosecutors said the case was announced by First
Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Richard J. Fortunato, acting
chief patrol agent of the Border Patrol's Swanton Sector.
“Following his sentence, Ahmadzai will be subject to
deportation,” Sarcone said, adding that the case reflected the administration's
effort to enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Fortunato praised Border Patrol agents involved in the case,
saying their work helps protect communities along the northern border and
elsewhere in the country.
The case followed an earlier attempt by Ahmadzai to enter
the United States. In May, he entered at a port of entry near Niagara Falls,
New York, but immigration officials denied him entry and returned him to
Canada, according to prosecutors.
After pleading guilty, Ahmadzai was sentenced to 51 days in
jail. Prosecutors said he will be subject to deportation after serving his
sentence.
The case was investigated by U.S. Border Patrol and
prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Anderson.
