A Mexican national who entered the United States as a child and later received protection under a program introduced during President Barack Obama’s term has been identified by authorities as the ringleader of a failed attack plot against a UFC event at the White House.Abraham Alvarez, 31, was arrested in Nebraska, where investigators say he set up a base in a former church building to provide a “safe zone” for himself and other members of the conspiracy.According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alvarez entered the United States as a child but remained in the United States after his B2 visa expired in 2001. He later received deportation relief under the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, commonly known as the Dreamer program.Alvarez played a central role in organizing the planned attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn of the White House. The combat sports event drew thousands of spectators and was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior government officials.Alvarez coordinated a group of co-conspirators who planned to launch explosives-laden drones into crowds and then use snipers to target people trying to flee the area. The attack was disrupted before it could proceed. Alvarez was one of five people arrested in connection with the conspiracy, with suspects detained in Nebraska, Ohio, Missouri and California.“Alvarez allegedly directed and recruited others across the country from his home in Nebraska to carry out horrific attacks on government officials in a mass casualty incident,” Eugene Covell, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office, said in a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.“Our teams worked around the clock to locate and arrest Alvarez, take him into custody, and collect critical evidence.”Alvarez was responsible for planning, organizing and directing the operation. Federal investigators are also looking into the involvement of 23 other individuals believed to be connected to the conspiracy.The case became political after Homeland Security officials presented Alvarez’s immigration history.“This illegal immigrant from Mexico should never have been allowed into our country,” Acting Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Lauren Biss said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “He was the ringleader of an attempted terrorist attack on UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.”“He will face justice and be swiftly deported from our country,” she added.Authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about Alvarez’s background, work history or how the group was organized.The defendants face serious federal charges. If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, those arrested could be sentenced to life in prison. They could also face up to five additional years in prison for planning an act of violence at the White House.
