The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says that an illegal migrant from Pakistan, who once served in the U.S. military, has a long record of criminal activity along with “lies about his military service.”
Muhammad Zahid Chaudhry first came to the U.S. in 1998 on a B-2 visa. According to DHS, he hid his criminal history in Australia, where he had been convicted of stealing, using false passports, and financial fraud. DHS also told Fox News Digital that Chaudhry claimed he was deployed to Iraq, but Department of Defense records show he was never deployed.
A Defense Department official told Fox News Digital that illegal migrants are not allowed to serve in the military. To enlist, a person must have legal status, such as a green card.
In 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ruled that Chaudhry’s false statements and failure to report his criminal past were grounds for removal. He has appealed that decision for nearly 17 years.
“Sanctuary politician Bruce Harrell and the media are peddling a FALSE sob story on this serial fraudster,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. “President Trump and Secretary Noem’s message is clear: Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.”
McLaughlin added: “Why do sanctuary politicians and the media continue to peddle sob stories of criminal illegals and smear our brave ICE law enforcement officers? Make no mistake, these types of lies are contributing to our ICE officers facing a 1000% increase in assaults.”
According to a 2021 Inspector General’s report obtained by Fox News Digital, Chaudhry collected $449,459.82 in taxpayer money from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veteran’s Benefits Administration. He also still owes $81,080 from a mortgage reduction grant.
DHS sources told Fox that Chaudhry first entered on a tourist visa, then received a green card. When officials discovered he lied about his criminal past, the green card was revoked, making him an illegal migrant.
Chaudhry was arrested on Aug. 21, 2025, during a citizenship appointment in Tukwila, Washington. He is now detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and faces removal proceedings after a judge found him in violation of immigration law.
Protests broke out in Seattle, with hundreds demanding Chaudhry’s release.
Seattle radio host Jason Rantz told Fox News Digital that Democrats have been trying to “portray [Chaudhry] as some sort of victim.”
“Muhammad Chaudhry has a criminal history which he failed to disclose, and has already had permanent residence status rejected by a judge,” Rantz said. “And yet Democrats still portray him as some sort of victim. When you don’t believe in borders, you don’t see a difference.”
Chaudhry’s wife, Melissa, is running for U.S. Congress in Washington’s 9th District. She lost in the Democratic primary in 2024 and did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
