September 27, 2004

"Woman with altered passport pleads guilty"

A South African woman whose arrest raised fears of terrorists crossing into Texas from Mexico pleaded guilty today to illegal entry, lying to a federal agent and using an altered passport...

Despite the alarm expressed by several officials, the U.S. Attorney's Office found no reason to handle the case as anything other than an immigration matter.

Prosecutors have not made public any connection between Ahmed and any terrorist organization...

Officials searched her baggage and discovered wet, muddy pants, $6,300 in U.S. currency and 550 British pounds. An Emirates Airline itinerary dated July 8 showed travel from Johannesburg to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, then to London. A second itinerary showed travel from London to Mexico City on British Airways.

Previous coverage starts here.

Posted to Immigration_terror at September 27, 2004 01:40 PM

Comments

She sounds a little too well-funded to be wading the Rio Grande in search of janitorial opportunity, or to do the jobs Americans won't do. Unless, that is, it were the terrorist bombing job Americans won't do, not being plucky, flexible, youngish, strong-backed, or education-valuing enough.

Posted by: John S Bolton at September 28, 2004 01:56 AM