Released 5 Times: Sanctuary Policies Let Ethiopian Violent Felon Stay in America to Abduct, Poison, and Sexually Assault Virginia Resident
Amy Mek
September 27, 2024
Biden and Harris’s system of ignoring ICE detainers and supporting sanctuary policies allowed convicted illegal felon Besam Semirali Bashwie to be repeatedly released, resulting in preventable violent crimes that would not have occurred under Trump’s tougher immigration policies.
Alexandria, VA — Another horrific example of the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies has come to light as Besam Semirali Bashwie, a convicted Ethiopian felon, was allowed to roam free and allegedly commit abduction, poisoning, and sexual crimes against a Virginia resident. Bashwie, who had been previously convicted of racketeering, was released into the community not once but multiple times despite ICE detainers intended to keep this dangerous criminal off the streets.
A Case That Should Never Have Happened
Bashwie, a 24-year-old Ethiopian national, entered the U.S. in 2019 on a lawful basis but violated the terms of his stay. In 2021, he was convicted of racketeering in Alexandria—a crime serious enough to warrant his immediate removal. Despite being sentenced to five years in prison, three years, 11 months, and 26 days of his sentence were suspended, allowing him to re-enter the community much sooner than he should have. This reduced sentence, coupled with the refusal of local jurisdictions to honor ICE detainers, put the public at greater risk much sooner.
Key Dates Highlighting a Pattern of Failures:
https://rairfoundation.com/released-5-times-sanctuary-policies-let-ethiopian-violent/
