Illegal Immigrant Employed as Indiana Corrections Officer Faces Deportation

Federal officials have arrested a suspected illegal immigrant who allegedly entered the United States with a fraudulent asylum claim. This individual, Selah Dine Habib, was employed as a corrections officer in Portland, Indiana, and is currently in custody pending removal proceedings.

DHS Arrest and Claims

Selah Dine Habib, from Mauritania, was detained on May 21 by immigration agents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that Habib entered the U.S. illegally in March 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona. He was released into the country by the Biden administration and later secured employment as a correctional officer.

DHS alleged that Habib filed a fraudulent asylum application, claiming asylum based on homosexuality. Investigators found that Habib had married a woman after entering the U.S., raising doubts about the legitimacy of his asylum claim.

Employment at Jay County Jail

Local reports from WIBC indicate that Habib was employed by the Jay County Sheriff Department Jail as a corrections officer. He married the daughter of the county sheriff in 2025, which connected him to law enforcement in a personal capacity as well. Jay County Sheriff Larry Ray Newton confirmed Habib’s employment.

The employment authorization process included submission of an I-9 form and an E-Verify employment-authorization check. Jay County Auditor’s Office affirmed that Habib’s documents appeared legitimate, allowing his employment to proceed.

ICE Involvement and Legal Proceedings

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently holding Habib at the Clay County Jail detention facility in Brazil, Indiana. He faces a final deportation order, which he is contesting, according to sources cited by WIBC.

DHS emphasized that restoring law and order is a priority and illegal immigrants should not hold law enforcement positions. The situation has drawn attention to the security of employment verification processes.