Illegal immigrant from Egypt, admitted via the failed Diversity Visa Lottery, stands accused of raping a 16-year-old American girl in Nashville, exposing the deadly consequences of lax immigration policies now under President Trump’s aggressive reform.
Story Snapshot
- Egyptian national Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad, 31, allegedly raped a sleeping 16-year-old girl at gunpoint in a Nashville apartment on New Year’s Eve.
- Awad entered the U.S. legally in 2017 through the Diversity Visa program, despite later racking up charges for domestic violence, weapons, and theft.
- ICE lodged a detainer to ensure he faces deportation after local charges, blocking his release onto American streets.
- DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slams the program as “horrendous,” fueling calls to end it permanently under Trump’s enforcement mandate.
The Brutal Assault in Nashville
Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad, a 31-year-old Egyptian national, broke into a Nashville apartment on New Year’s Eve 2024. He sexually assaulted a sleeping 16-year-old girl next to her nephew while armed with a handgun. The victim promised silence under duress, allowing Awad to flee initially. She contacted her sister around January 16, 2025, prompting police action. Metro Nashville Police arrested Awad in Louisville, Kentucky, that same day. Authorities extradited him to Tennessee the following week, charging him with aggravated rape with a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated burglary.
Failures of the Diversity Visa Lottery Exposed
Awad entered the United States legally in 2017 through the Diversity Visa Lottery, a program conservatives have long criticized for inadequate vetting. Despite this entry, he accumulated prior charges including domestic violence, intimidation, weapon possession, court order violations, and vehicle theft before the Nashville attack. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the policy, stating horrendous immigration policies allowed this monster into our country. ICE’s detainer, lodged on a Friday in late January 2025, ensures Awad remains in custody and faces deportation, protecting communities from repeat offenders.
Stakeholders Demand Accountability
The 16-year-old victim and her family seek justice after the traumatic ordeal, supported by Metro Nashville Police who coordinated the arrest and extradition. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holds authority to prevent Awad’s release post-local proceedings. Department of Homeland Security oversees enforcement, with McLaughlin advocating stricter policies. Local courts will handle charges, but ICE and DHS control deportation power. This case underscores the power dynamics favoring federal immigration enforcement over sanctuary leniency.
President Trump’s administration prioritizes removing violent criminal illegal aliens, aligning with voter mandates for secure borders and public safety. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocates billions to expand ICE detention and hiring, reversing Biden-era releases that endangered families.
Broader Impacts and Policy Shifts
Short-term, Awad’s detainer safeguards Nashville residents from immediate threats. Long-term, the incident bolsters arguments to terminate the Diversity Visa Lottery, already paused by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Nashville families face heightened risks from unvetted entrants, eroding trust in immigration systems. Politically, it amplifies national calls for reform amid ICE sweeps targeting sex offenders. Socially, it highlights dangers to American children, reinforcing conservative demands for limited government and individual liberty through secure borders.
Under President Trump in 2026, mass deportation operations target all undocumented criminals, with over 605,000 removals achieved. This Nashville horror story validates the agenda, countering past overspending and open-border policies that frustrated working families.
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ICE lodges detainer for illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting teen
