Key facts
- Federal officials arrested Selah Dine Habib, a native of Mauritania, on May 21.
- Habib allegedly entered the U.S. illegally in March 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona.
- He claimed homosexuality for asylum but later married a woman in 2025, according to DHS.
- Habib was employed as an unarmed correctional officer at the Jay County Jail in Indiana.
- Habib passed the federal E-Verify employment-authorization check during onboarding.
- Habib is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and is contesting a deportation order.
This case highlights concerns about the integrity of asylum claims and the vetting process for individuals employed in sensitive positions within law enforcement. The alleged fraudulent asylum claim and subsequent employment as a correctional officer raise questions about immigration enforcement and background checks.