Federal officials disclosed that immigration agents apprehended a suspected illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. under a potentially false asylum claim. The individual, Selah Dine Habib from Mauritania, later worked as a taxpayer-funded corrections officer in Portland, Indiana.
On May 21, Habib was arrested after being released into the U.S. in 2023 by the Biden administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Habib of applying for asylum under dubious circumstances, claiming he was homosexual. Investigations found he later married a woman, casting doubt on his asylum claim.
Local media outlet WIBC first reported that Habib married the county sheriff’s daughter, leading to his employment at the county jail as a corrections officer. He joined the Jay County Sheriff Department Jail in Indiana.
DHS reported, “He entered the country illegally in March 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona, and was released by the Biden administration.” They confirmed, “He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.” Officials believe his asylum application is fraudulent, as he applied claiming to be homosexual but married in 2025.
Jay County Sheriff Larry Ray Newton confirmed Habib’s employment as an unarmed correctional officer. Habib had presented employment authorization documents that met hiring requirements and passed the federal E-Verify employment-authorization check during onboarding.
“I am able to confirm that Mr. Habib submitted an I-9 with documentation, and an E-Verify Check was completed at the time of employment,” the Jay County Auditor’s Office told the outlet.
They added that any discrepancies flagged by E-Verify would have stopped the hiring process immediately. Departments must complete reference checks, background checks, and drug tests before new employees are processed.
DHS stated, “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is restoring law and order. Illegal aliens have no place in our communities, especially in positions of law enforcement.”
Habib is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Clay County Jail and is contesting a final deportation order, according to WIBC reports.
Alexandra Koch, a journalist for Fox News Digital, covers high-impact events influencing national dialogue.