TORONTO – A Pakistani man accused of plotting to attack a New York Jewish centre in support of Islamic State was in Canada on a student visa, Canada’s Immigration Minister said on Tuesday.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested in Canada last Wednesday as he allegedly tried to enter the U.S. He was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely the Islamic State.
The U.S. Department of Justice accused Mr. Khan of plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish centre in Brooklyn around Oct. 7, about a year after Hamas’ attack in Israel.
Mr. Khan came to Canada on a student visa in June, 2023, Immigration Minister Marc Miller told reporters on Tuesday. The visa was issued the month before.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Mr. Khan began posting his support for IS on an encrypted messaging application in November, 2023. He allegedly communicated his attack plans to undercover agents.
Mr. Miller said he had no further comment on Mr. Khan’s case because criminal charges were pending.
“We take any security breach and any entry into Canada very seriously,” he said. “Let’s not be naive: A determined individual can gain access to this country and that is for the security services inside our country to apprehend this person if they commit a crime or if they’re about to commit a crime. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Canada approved more student visas in May and June, 2023, than in any month since at least January, 2019, according to data from the Immigration department. Approvals have since fallen.
Canada has been seeking to reduce its ranks of international students, issuing a two-year cap in January.
Mr. Khan is set to appear in court in Montreal on Sept. 13.