st. LEWS – US Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed the removal of Prince Solomonknox, a Sierra Leonean citizen, to its country on March 1st. He has been previously convicted of visa fraud and domestic assault after lying about his previous affiliation with an armed terrorist group.
Knox entered the United States on April 14, 2004 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, attracting ICE's attention in 2006 through an investigation that included allegations of fraud by unqualified combatants or fraudsters. The investigation revealed witnesses who testified about their involvement with several groups of combatants in West Africa, including the revolutionary United Front. This involves extensive use of child soldiers while performing actions such as the hands, arms, and legs of tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans.
“From any country, foreigners cannot be allowed to abuse their visa system and unauthorizedly migrate to the United States,” said Sam Olson, Chicago's field office director. “This is an example of depriving people of the global community of those who are trying to escape responsibility from their home country, as well as the opportunity to desperately seek the necessary relief.”
In the investigation, the Federal Ju Court charged Knox with two counts of visa fraud and two false statements, arresting him on December 21, 2006. Knox was convicted on June 20, 2007 by the Northern Illinois District Court and sentenced to 12 months in prison.
The immigration judge deleted Knox on June 6, 2008 during detention and was later placed under supervision order until deletion.
