Appellee Jose Padilla, a United States citizen, associated with forces hostile to the United States in Afghanistan and took up arms against United States forces in that country in our war against al Qaeda. Upon his escape to Pakistan from the battlefield in Afghanistan, Padilla was recruited, trained, funded, and equipped by al Qaeda leaders to continue prosecution of the war in the United States by blowing up apartment buildings in this country. Padilla flew to the United States on May 8, 2002, to begin carrying out his assignment, but was arrested by civilian law enforcement authorities upon his arrival at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Thereafter, in a letter to the Secretary of Defense, the President of the United States personally designated Padilla an “enemy combatant” against this country, stating that the United States is “at war” with al Qaeda, that “Mr. Padilla engaged in conduct that constituted hostile and war-like acts, including conduct in preparation for acts of international terrorism that had the aim to cause injury to or adverse effects on the United States,” and that “Mr. Padilla represents a continuing, present and grave danger to the national security of the United States.” Having determined that “detention of Mr. Padilla is necessary to prevent him from aiding al Qaeda in its efforts to attack the United States or its armed forces, other governmental personnel, or citizens,” the President directed the Secretary of Defense to take Padilla into military custody, in which custody Padilla has remained ever since.
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5.56mm