An Afghan immigrant with a history of violent crime was recently apprehended by authorities in Rochester, New York, as reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The individual in question, Waheed Allah Mohammad, aged 39, has a notorious past that includes a conviction for attempting to murder his teenage sister, a crime committed over her alleged failure to adhere to strict religious norms.

Mohammad’s prior convictions are severe; he was found guilty of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, resulting in a sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by a five-year period of supervised release. These charges stemmed from a particularly brutal incident in 2008 when he repeatedly stabbed his sister during a heated dispute, during which he accused her of tarnishing the family’s honor by behaving as a “bad Muslim girl.” Specifically, he criticized her choice of attire and her visits to nightclubs as disgraceful.

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons commented on the arrest, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to public safety. “When we say ICE is arresting the ‘worst of the worst,’ this is exactly what we mean,” he stated. Lyons highlighted the importance of such targeted enforcement operations in capturing and deporting individuals like Mohammad, who pose significant risks to their families and communities.

This arrest underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing immigration enforcement with public safety, particularly when individuals with violent criminal histories are involved. The case of Waheed Allah Mohammad serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by those who exploit vulnerabilities in the immigration system while posing threats to societal peace.

“When we say ICE is arresting the ‘worst of the worst,’ this is exactly what we mean,” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “We’re conducting targeted enforcement operations to arrest and remove convicted criminals like Mohammad who pose clear threats to their families, communities and states.”

In 2008, Mohammad stabbed his sister several times during an argument where he called her a “bad Muslim girl.” He said she disgraced his family by dressing immodestly and frequenting nightclubs. 

Waheed Allah Mohammad, 39, was arrested by federal authorities on Jan.1 in New York.  (Getty Images; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

He lawfully entered the United States on May 24, 2004. However, his attempted murder conviction violated the terms of his legal status, ICE said.

He was convicted in 2009. 

In April 2009, ICE entered Mohammad into removal proceedings. In 2012, an immigration judge ordered that he be deported. 

He will remain in federal custody pending his deportation.