Canadian convicted for role in Iranian arms deal removed by ERO
TORONTO – A 48-year-old Canadian citizen convicted in the United States for his involvement in the illegal sale of military materials to Iran was removed from the U.S. Tuesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers in Newark, New Jersey.
Farhad Jenabfar was transferred into the custody of Canadian authorities upon his arrival at Pearson International Airport in Toronto. According to court documents, Jenabfar was charged under the U.S. federal code for violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Iranian Transactions Regulation, Aiding and Abetting and Causing an Act to Be Done, Conspiracy and Criminal Forfeiture, following an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) criminal probe.
On Dec. 17, 2013, Jenabfar pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment. As part of his plea, he also agreed to a stipulated order of removal.
On May 3, 2015, ERO officers with the Criminal Alien Program arrested Jenabfar at the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution following the completion of his criminal sentence.
“The removal of Jenabfar illustrates ERO’s resolve in identifying and removing criminals who pose a threat to our national security,” said ERO New Jersey Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “I commend both the men and women of HSI and ERO who worked to bring this case to fruition on both the criminal and administrative front.”
In fiscal year 2014, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. In addition to convicted criminals, the agency's enforcement priorities include those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who returned to the United States after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives. In fiscal year 2014, 98 percent of ICE removals met these priorities.
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