Left to right: Mustafa Mohammad Matalgah, a 27-year-old from Jordan, and Ahmad Mawed, a 21-year-old from Lebanon, are being charged with deadly conduct after allegedly opening fire during a prayer at a youth baseball game in Katy, Texas, on Sunday. (DHS)
Matalgah was granted U.S. citizenship by the Biden administration on Aug.1, 2023, according to the agency. The statement said Matalgah was granted citizenship despite prior arrests for drug possession.
Meanwhile, Mawed was given lawful permanent resident status by the Biden administration through an IR-2 visa on June 3, 2021, according to DHS. An IR-2 visa is given to the children of U.S. citizens.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the Biden administration after the shooting for "not vetting" the immigrants let into the country, especially from high-threat nations.
"Not only did Biden fail the American people by leaving our borders wide open to criminals, but he also legally allowed them to gain status and citizenship to terrorize our communities," said McLaughlin. "These individuals from high threat counties were let in by the Biden Administration. They clearly were not vetting the aliens they were letting legally enter our country and even become U.S. citizens."
EXCLUSIVE: IMMIGRATION AGENT REVEALS ‘BIGGEST FEAR’ AFTER DEADLY ANTI-ICE SHOOTING
A sign for The Rac baseball complex in Katy, Texas in September 2025. (KRIV)
Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. State Department has expanded screening and vetting for visa applicants. In a June statement, the State Department said that "every visa adjudication is a national security decision."
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The department said, "The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission."
Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for former President Joe Biden but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/immigrants-charged-shooting-up-youth-baseball-game-major-city-granted-legal-status-under-biden