TAMPA, Fla. — Two Palestinian nationals residing in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas have been indicted on federal firearms charges following an investigation aided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Mohammed Aburidi, 24, and Tareq Aburidi, 19, face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of possessing firearms and ammunition as nonimmigrant visa holders, a violation of federal law.
The indictments allege that on November 26, 2024, the brothers unlawfully possessed firearms and ammunition. An indictment is a formal accusation, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with support from USCIS’ Tampa Asylum Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan is leading the prosecution.
USCIS emphasized its role in safeguarding immigration integrity, with asylum officers assisting law enforcement in fraud detection, national security screenings, and intelligence sharing. The agency highlighted its collaboration with partner organizations in cases involving noncitizens accused of criminal activity.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative targeting illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime.
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