GET THE APP
Friday, April 10, 2026

Category: Immigration
January 5, 2026
Immigration
News

California DMV to Replace 325,000 IDs for Noncitizens After Finding Decades-Old System Glitch.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced a correction requiring the reissuance of approximately 325,000 Real ID driver’s licenses and identification cards due to a longstanding system error.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: California DMV, DMV Director Steve Gordon, and approximately 325,000 affected residents, primarily noncitizen lawful residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The issue dates back to a 2006 software configuration, with corrections announced in January 2026, affecting California residents statewide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We proactively reviewed our records, identified a legacy system issue from 2006, and are notifying impacted customers with clear guidance on how to maintain a valid California-issued credential.” – DMV Director Steve Gordon

🎯IMPACT: Roughly 1.5 percent of Real ID holders in California are affected, with the DMV waiving fees and expediting the reissuance process to minimize inconvenience.

IN FULL

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says it has identified a longstanding system error that necessitates the reissuance of approximately 325,000 Real ID driver’s licenses and identification cards. The issue, stemming from a software configuration implemented in 2006, resulted in incorrect expiration dates being assigned to a subset of Real IDs issued to lawful immigrant residents with fixed authorized stays.

Real ID is a federally mandated identification standard required for air travel and access to certain federal facilities, with full enforcement beginning in May 2025. While the affected cards were verified as Real ID compliant when issued, the expiration dates did not align with federal standards, creating a technical defect.

DMV Director Steve Gordon stated, “We proactively reviewed our records, identified a legacy system issue from 2006, and are notifying impacted customers with clear guidance on how to maintain a valid California-issued credential.”

The error primarily impacts noncitizen residents with time-limited legal status, such as visa holders and lawful permanent residents, whose IDs were issued with standard renewal cycles instead of expiration dates matching their authorized federal stay. Officials claimed that Real IDs have never been issued to illegal immigrants—although some may have been able to use them after their presence in the country became unlawful due to the expiration date issue.

The National Pulse reported in November last year that Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration had announced it would revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) granted to immigrants who, it acknowledged, had remained in the U.S. after the expiration of their legal status. For weeks prior to the move, Newsom and California officials had claimed that all state CDLs had been issued lawfully in accordance with federal law.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
January 2, 2026
Corruption
Crime
Immigration

Trump’s DHS Arrests 500 Illegals in Minnesota.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal agents have arrested 500 illegal immigrants and investigated 1,000 immigration-fraud cases in Minnesota over the past two months, according to Homeland Security.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Homeland Security, ICE, Somali nationals, and Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Investigations have escalated in Minnesota over the past two months, with updates provided on December 30, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These suspected perpetrators are really trying to cover their tracks,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary.

🎯IMPACT: Federal funding to Minnesota’s childcare program has been cut off, and stricter documentation is now required for daycare providers nationwide.

IN FULL

Federal immigration enforcement agents have already arrested an estimated 500 illegal immigrants and investigated over 1,000 cases of immigration fraud in Minnesota over the past two months, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. According to DHS, nearly 100 individuals were also arrested and federally charged over defrauding the government, with most of them being Somali nationals.

McLaughlin revealed that “hundreds” of federal investigators were on the ground in Minnesota over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, investigating a number of daycare centers, assisted living facilities, and “other organizations that take taxpayer dollars.” She continued, “These suspected perpetrators are really trying to cover their tracks.” The fraudulent businesses, McLaughlin notes, have taken steps to disguise their criminal operations as legitimate enterprises.

The federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota predates the viral video posted by YouTuber Nick Shirley on December 26, claiming to have found over $110 million in alleged childcare fraud. Federal prosecutors earlier in December estimated the total cost of fraud in the state could easily top $9 billion. “The fraud is not small. It isn’t isolated. The magnitude cannot be overstated. What we see in Minnesota is not a handful of bad actors committing crimes. It’s staggering industrial-scale fraud. It’s swamping Minnesota and calling into question everything we know about our state,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said at the time.

Despite federal efforts, however, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have faced resistance from Minnesota state officials, including Governor Tim Walz (D-MN). The state’s sanctuary laws place limitations on cooperation with federal immigration authorities, and Minneapolis recently enacted provisions barring city employees from working with ICE officers. Late last month, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons slammed the Democrat-enacted sanctuary policies, stating: “If sanctuary cities would change their policies, and turn these violent criminal aliens over to us … instead of releasing them into the public, we would not have to go out to the communities and do this.”

The National Pulse previously reported that state government whistleblowers accuse Gov. Walz of having uncovered evidence of the Somali immigrant community-connected fraud involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit in 2019. However, they contend the Walz administration backed down from investigating the group after intense pushback from Feeding Our Future’s leaders, who accused state officials of discrimination against Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 30, 2025
Education
Immigration

DOJ Sues to Block In-State Tuition Rates for Illegal Immigrants.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Virginia over a law allowing some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Justice Department, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and Virginia state officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in Richmond, Virginia, by the Trump administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is a simple matter of federal law: in Virginia and nationwide, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens.” – U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit challenges Virginia’s policy and seeks to halt in-state tuition rates and other benefits for illegal immigrants.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Virginia, challenging a state law that allows certain migrants living in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition and other education benefits at public colleges and universities. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the 13-page complaint in federal court in Richmond, arguing that Virginia’s policy violates federal law by granting postsecondary education benefits to illegal immigrants that are not equally available to U.S. citizens. Federal law prohibits states from providing such benefits unless the same terms are offered to all American citizens, regardless of where they live.

According to the lawsuit, Virginia permits students to receive in-state tuition if they establish residency in the state for at least one year, even if they lack lawful immigration status. The administration contends that this policy discriminates against U.S. citizens who cannot afford reduced tuition rates or qualify for the same financial assistance.

“This is not only wrong but illegal. The challenged act’s discriminatory treatment in favor of illegal aliens over citizens is squarely prohibited and preempted by federal law,” the complaint states. “There are no exceptions. Virginia violates it nonetheless.”

The Justice Department also argues that the law encourages illegal immigration by offering taxpayer-funded benefits tied to state residency. The lawsuit asks the court to block Virginia from providing in-state tuition, financial aid, or other state education benefits to illegals.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the issue is straightforward under federal law. “This is a simple matter of federal law: in Virginia and nationwide, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” Bondi said. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate American students being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”

Virginia is one of several states facing legal action over tuition policies for illegal immigrants. The Trump administration has filed similar lawsuits against Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and California. In Texas, state officials moved earlier this year to end a long-standing policy that allowed illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition following federal pressure.

The legal challenges follow executive orders President Donald J. Trump signed after returning to office, directing federal agencies to ensure that illegal immigrants do not receive taxpayer-funded benefits or preferential treatment over U.S. citizens. The administration has said it will continue challenging state laws it believes conflict with federal immigration statutes.

Image by Steve Fernie.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 30, 2025
Immigration
News

Court Approves ICE Access to Migrant Medicaid Info.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration can share Medicaid information about illegal migrants with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers starting next month.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and ICE.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Monday as part of a case involving 22 Democrat states that sued to block the policy in July.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The sharing of such information is clearly authorized by law and the agencies have adequately explained their decisions,” wrote Judge Chhabria.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling allows ICE officials to access personal data of Medicaid enrollees to track illegal migrants, with the decision limited to migrants known to be in the country illegally.

IN FULL

A federal judge ruled on December 29 that the Trump administration may begin sharing certain Medicaid enrollment information about migrants who are in the United States illegally with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), clearing the way for the policy to take effect next month.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed in July by 22 Democrat-led states seeking to block the federal government from providing the data to immigration authorities. A temporary halt had been put in place while the case was reviewed. Notably, the states may still appeal the decision.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria approved a data-sharing agreement between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows ICE officials limited access to personal information held by Medicaid. In a seven-page order, Chhabria said ICE may obtain six categories of “basic” data: address, citizenship, immigration status, phone number, date of birth, and Medicaid identification number.

“The sharing of such information is clearly authorized by law and the agencies have adequately explained their decisions,” Chhabria wrote. However, he criticized any broader or undefined data sharing, adding that such policies “do not appear to be the product of a coherent decision-making process.”

The order applies only to migrants already known to be in the country illegally and does not permit access to medical records, treatment details, or other sensitive health information. The agreement had raised concerns because it potentially affects data connected to roughly 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide.

The dispute centers in part on seven Democrat-led states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington, that use state funds to provide limited Medicaid benefits to migrants who are not eligible for federally funded coverage. Those states argue that sharing enrollment data with ICE could discourage participation in public health programs and undermine privacy protections.

The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of Medicaid oversight following multiple high-profile Somali-linked fraud investigations. In Minnesota, federal authorities have charged numerous defendants in schemes involving Medicaid and food stamp fraud, with some cases involving millions of dollars in losses.

The Treasury Department has also announced an investigation into whether federal and state officials failed to prevent large-scale Medicaid fraud tied to organized networks.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 29, 2025
Immigration

Trump Admin Plans to Make Asylum Seekers Apply for Refuge in Third Countries.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is directing courts to dismiss asylum claims without hearings, sending migrants to third countries.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), President Donald J. Trump, and various third countries, including Uganda, Honduras, and Ecuador.

📍WHEN & WHERE: In recent months, in the United States and third countries.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Asylum was not designed to provide people a backdoor way to get to a country of their choosing.” – Senior administration official

🎯IMPACT: The strategy aims to reduce the asylum claims backlog and increase deportations.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is actively pursuing a new immigration strategy where courts are being asked to dismiss asylum claims without hearings, and instead direct asylum seekers to third countries to pursue relief. This approach is backed by agreements with nations like Uganda, Honduras, and Ecuador, which have been identified as third countries that can host asylum claimants during the processing of their immigration requests.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading these efforts as part of a broader initiative to curb immigration and meet deportation targets. Nearly 900,000 asylum claims were filed in Fiscal Year 2024, a significant increase from previous years, prompting the administration to seek expedited removals. The new process, the administration contends, closes “a huge loophole” in the U.S. immigration system.

A senior administration official, speaking to the media, emphasized that asylum is not meant as a means for migrants supposedly in need of safe harbor to pick out a new homeland of their choice, stating, “Asylum was not designed to provide people a backdoor way to get to a country of their choosing.” The administration’s approach gained momentum when the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Board of Immigration Appeals supported considering third-country removals before U.S. asylum hearings.

Critics, including Democrat lawmakers and professional mass immigration advocates, argue that this undermines the U.S. asylum system. However, the administration is defending its actions as lawful and necessary to address systemic asylum abuse and a daunting claimant backlog.

“They shouldn’t care about what specific location,” a Trump administration official said, adding: “Many [immigration groups] somehow think that it’s bad to be doing this—that everyone should get a hearing, no matter anything else. But the reality from our perspective is, it is the law. And you may disagree with the law, but the way to address that is through Congress.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 29, 2025
Crime
Immigration

FBI Now Investigating Somali-Linked Minnesota Daycare Centers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it is in the midst of an ongoing investigation into fraud in Minneapolis childcare businesses after a daycare center allegedly stole millions in taxpayer funds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FBI Director Kash Patel, independent journalist Nick Shirley, Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth (R), and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing investigation in Minnesota, with recent updates posted on social media in late December 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children.” – Kash Patel

🎯IMPACT: Several investigations into social services fraud in the state have so far exposed the widespread theft of taxpayer dollars, with 78 indictments and 57 convictions tied to a separate $250 million scheme involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit group.

IN FULL

Over the Christmas holiday, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau is intensifying its efforts to combat Somali immigrant community-linked fraud in Minnesota following allegations that a daycare center misappropriated $4 million in taxpayer funds. Notably, the specific allegations pertain to just one of a number of Minneapolis childcare facilities that are allegedly involved in schemes defrauding taxpayers and the state and federal governments.

According to Patel, the FBI has been aware of the fraud situation for some time and has already deployed additional personnel and investigative resources to the state. In recent weeks, independent journalist Nick Shirley brought attention to the issue by posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the daycare, which appeared empty, yet reportedly received millions in government funding.

The video quickly went viral, amassing over 65 million views. Shirley said that the daycare, the “Quality Learing [sic] Center,” had misspelled signage and lacked visible activity, raising questions about how it received such large sums of money.

Meanwhile, Patel noted that the FBI’s investigation has already helped dismantle a $250 million fraud network connected to the Feeding Our Future program, which involved fake vendors, shell companies, and money laundering schemes. He emphasized that the bureau remains committed to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit federal programs, stating, “Fraud that steals from taxpayers and robs vulnerable children will remain a top FBI priority.”

The broader fraud investigation involving individuals connected to Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community has already resulted in dozens of indictments and convictions. Patel noted that some individuals involved attempted to bribe jurors and are now facing significant prison sentences and restitution orders. He also mentioned that immigration authorities are reviewing cases for possible denaturalization and deportation proceedings.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 23, 2025
Immigration
News

DOJ Sues Dem Gov. Over Illegal Immigrant ‘Protections’ on Public Properties.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) over new state laws aimed at protecting immigrants at courthouses, hospitals, and day care centers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D), U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the DOJ.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on Monday in Illinois following laws signed earlier this month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is not just a good law, but a great law.” – Gov. Pritzker

🎯IMPACT: The DOJ claims the laws violate the U.S. Constitution and threaten the safety of federal officers.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated litigation on Monday against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), challenging newly enacted state laws that expand protections for immigrants at courthouses, hospitals, day care centers, and other public institutions. The laws, signed by Pritzker earlier this month along with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D), prohibit civil immigration arrests in or around courthouses and require institutions such as hospitals and public universities to adopt formal procedures for responding to civil immigration enforcement while safeguarding personal information. The legislation also allows individuals to sue if their constitutional rights are violated during federal immigration actions, with damages of up to $10,000.

Illegal immigrant advocacy groups praised the measures, claiming they are necessary to address alleged fear among immigrant communities about accessing essential services. The DOJ, however, contends the laws interfere with federal authority and put federal officers at risk. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made identifying and challenging state and local laws that impede federal immigration enforcement a priority, according to the department.

Pritzker acknowledged the likelihood of legal challenges when signing the bills but defended the measures. “No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is not just a good law, but a great law,” he said.

Illinois has been a focal point in the national immigration debate as state and local leaders continue to expand sanctuary policies. In recent months, Pritzker signed additional legislation further limiting civil immigration enforcement at schools, hospitals, and universities. Chicago’s mayor has also moved to establish “ICE-free zones” on certain city-owned properties, drawing criticism from federal officials.

Tensions have occasionally escalated beyond policy disputes. Earlier this fall, a Chicago-area grand jury declined to indict suspects accused of violently confronting federal immigration agents during protests, adding to concerns among federal authorities about resistance to enforcement operations.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 23, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

Biden Judge Frees Convicted Illegal Immigrant Fraudster from ICE Custody.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge ordered the release of Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, a Pakistani national with a fraud conviction, from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention on procedural grounds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo, Assistant US Attorney Michelle Lambert, and activist groups including CAIR-Washington.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued recently in Washington State, following Chaudhry’s detention since August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The lack of process that was provided [to] detaining him in the first instance.” – Judge David G. Estudillo

🎯IMPACT: Chaudhry will be released while his immigration proceedings continue, but authorities may re-detain him if proper procedures are followed.

IN FULL

Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry, a Pakistani national with a history of fraud convictions, has been ordered released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention by U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo. The judge, appointed to the bench by former President Joe Biden, ruled that Chaudhry’s detention was unlawful due to procedural issues, specifically the lack of prior notice and opportunity to respond before his arrest.

Chaudhry was taken into ICE custody on August 21, 2025, after attending a naturalization interview. His detention sparked outrage among activists and sympathetic media outlets, who portrayed him as a victim of draconian immigration enforcement. However, Chaudhry’s extensive history of fraud, including convictions in Australia and false claims on U.S. immigration paperwork, has been largely ignored in these portrayals.

Judge Estudillo clarified that the ruling was not a determination on the merits of Chaudhry’s immigration case or his innocence. Instead, it was based on procedural grounds, as ICE failed to provide a written notice or an opportunity to challenge the detention. The judge stated that Chaudhry could be re-detained if authorities comply with proper procedures.

Chaudhry’s fraud history includes convictions for using stolen identities to obtain documents and credit cards while in Australia, as well as false claims on U.S. immigration forms and job applications. Despite being ordered deported in 2011, he has delayed removal through legal appeals for over a decade. Activist groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Washington, continue to advocate for him, describing his detention as unjust.

Adding to the political dimension, Chaudhry’s wife, Melissa Chaudhry, was a 2024 congressional candidate in Washington’s 9th District, and intends to run in the Democratic primary for the district in 2026, too.

Image by Sarahsiewe.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 23, 2025
Immigration
NatSec
UK

Muslims Convicted in ISIS-Inspired Plot to Massacre Jews.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two men were convicted of plotting an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting targeting the Jewish community in Manchester, England.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Walid Saadaoui, Amar Hussein, undercover operative Farouk, and Greater Manchester Police.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Manchester, between December 2023 and May 2024, with arrests on May 8, 2024. The pair were convicted in December 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Some of the things he said made it very clear that he regarded a less sophisticated attack… as not being good enough, as he saw it was his duty to kill as many Jewish people as he could.” – Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts

🎯IMPACT: The plot was foiled, preventing what police described as a potentially catastrophic attack.

IN FULL

Two men in Britain have been convicted of preparing acts of terrorism after plotting an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting targeting Manchester’s Jewish community, a court heard. Walid Saadaoui, 38, and Amar Hussein, 52, were found guilty after prosecutors said they were motivated by a “visceral dislike” of Jewish people and intended to cause mass casualties.

Saadaoui, a Tunisian national, sought to smuggle four AK-47 rifles, two handguns, and 900 rounds of ammunition into the United Kingdom. He believed he was working with a fellow extremist to arrange the importation, but the contact was in fact an undercover operative known as Farouk. Saadaoui paid a deposit for the weapons, unaware that counter-terrorism officers were monitoring his plans.

The plot was stopped on May 8, 2024, when Saadaoui was arrested in Bolton while attempting to collect what he believed were deactivated firearms. More than 200 counter-terrorism officers were involved in the operation to disrupt the plan, which police said could have resulted in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in British history.

Assistant Chief Constable Robert Potts said Saadaoui’s statements revealed the scale of his intent. “Some of the things he said made it very clear that he regarded a less sophisticated attack… as not being good enough, as he saw it was his duty to kill as many Jewish people as he could,” Potts said. He also commended the undercover officer, adding, “There was very real risk and danger for Farouk, who undoubtedly saved lives.”

The Jewish Community Security Trust said the case would heighten fears within the Jewish community. Its chief executive, Mark Gardner, said, “To hear now that somebody was trying to obtain weapons and had put together a meticulous attack plan to go and kill as many Jews as possible… will make people very, very fearful.”

The convictions come amid heightened concern following the attack on a Manchester synagogue earlier this year, when an Islamic State-inspired Syrian migrant carried out a violent attack during a religious observance. Investigations later found the attacker had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and was on bail for rape at the time of the attack. Subsequent inquiries also led to additional terrorism charges against an associate linked to that case.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
December 23, 2025
Immigration
NatSec

African Man Gets Life Sentence for Planning 9/11-Style Attack.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Kenyan man was sentenced to life in prison for planning a terrorist attack on Atlanta’s Bank of America Plaza in 2019.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a member of the Somali-based terrorist group al-Shabaab, and U.S. federal prosecutors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sentencing took place Monday; the plot targeted Atlanta, Georgia, and involved actions in Somalia, the Philippines, and the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Abdullah admitted to FBI agents that he was training to become a pilot on behalf of al-Shabaab so he could hijack a plane.” – U.S. Department of Justice

🎯IMPACT: Abdullah was sentenced to two consecutive life terms for conspiring to commit a 9/11-style attack.

IN FULL

Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a 34-year-old Kenyan man, was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison on Monday, December 22, 2025, for plotting to hijack a commercial airliner and crash it into Atlanta‘s Bank of America Plaza, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Abdullah, a member of the Somali-based terrorist group al-Shabaab, was convicted on November 4, 2024, for multiple terrorism-related crimes.

Abdullah joined al-Shabaab in 2015 and underwent extensive military-style training in Somalia, including firearms and explosives training. He later enrolled in a flight school in the Philippines between 2017 and 2019, where he trained to become a commercial pilot as part of a larger plan to carry out a mass-casualty terrorist attack on behalf of al-Shabaab. His tuition was financed by the group, which funds its operations—in part—through extortion in Somalia.

Prosecutors revealed that Abdullah researched U.S. transit visas, airplane cockpit security, and the feasibility of smuggling weapons onboard flights. He specifically targeted the 55-story Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta, Georgia, as the site of his planned attack. Abdullah admitted to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents that he expected to die in the attack and acknowledged that others would be killed or injured.

The DOJ detailed that Abdullah was arrested in the Philippines in July 2019, just before completing the final requirements for his commercial pilot license. He was transferred to U.S. custody in December 2020. His conviction included charges such as conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiring to commit aircraft piracy, among others.

Concerningly, the recent social services fraud scandal that has gripped Tim Walz’s Minnesota has likely seen the state’s Somali immigrant community funnel possibly over one billion in taxpayer dollars to al-Shabaab. Governor Walz (D) has defiantly pledged to bring more Somali immigrants to his state despite the scandal.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more