Arrested New York Terror Plot Suspect Entered Canada on Student Visa, Minister Reveals

Canada’s immigration system is facing heightened scrutiny following the arrest of 20-year-old Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, who allegedly attempted to enter the U.S. illegally to carry out a mass shooting. Khan, a Pakistani national, entered Canada on a student visa just last year, raising concerns about the effectiveness of visa screening and the potential security risks posed by certain applicants.

Khan was arrested in Ormstown, Quebec, and is now facing terrorism-related charges in both Canada and the U.S. According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Khan obtained his student visa in May 2023 and arrived in Canada in June of the same year. The fact that Khan was able to enter the country through a student visa has led to increased concerns about how individuals with malicious intent can exploit Canada’s immigration system. Miller, however, refrained from sharing further details about Khan’s background, citing the legal proceedings. “Obviously there are criminal charges pending. As politicians, as elected officials, in order to make sure the judicial process is not compromised … it’s very important that we don’t comment,” he said during a press conference at the Liberal caucus retreat in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Khan’s case is especially alarming given the nature of the charges he faces. U.S. authorities allege that he planned to use automatic and semi-automatic weapons in a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York, in support of ISIS. Police say they uncovered this plot from conversations between Khan and two undercover officers. In Canada, Khan is charged with attempting to leave the country to commit an offense for a terrorist group, participating in terrorist group activities, and conspiracy to violate U.S. immigration laws. He is also facing charges in the U.S. for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

The revelation that Khan came to Canada on a student visa has led to calls for tighter scrutiny of visa applicants, especially those from regions with known terrorist activity. This case follows another high-profile incident earlier this summer involving Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi and his son, Mostafa Eldidi, who were arrested in Toronto for allegedly plotting a terror attack. Like Khan, the Eldidi family’s case has prompted questions about how individuals with terror links can gain access to Canada. While Ahmed Eldidi holds Canadian citizenship, his son does not, and both face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit murder for the benefit of a terrorist group.

Despite the mounting concerns, Minister Miller was quick to defend Canada’s immigration and security apparatus. He emphasized that the arrests of Khan and the Eldidis demonstrate that the country’s security measures are effective. “We are consistently looking internally at what we can do to make sure Canadians continue to be safe. But no one can pretend and stand honestly in front of you and say a well-determined actor can’t come to this country,” Miller said. He underscored that Canada’s security systems are designed to identify and neutralize threats, even when individuals successfully enter the country.

As investigations into both cases continue, the fact that Khan entered Canada on a student visa has become a focal point in discussions around national security and immigration policy. Many are now calling for more stringent vetting processes for student visas.