He Turned on Al Qaeda and Aided the U.S. Now He’s on Food Stamps and Needs a Job.

A better headline - The Life Al Qaeda with Steve Zissou

I just hope he does not use his current circumstances to fall back into crime or worse, terrorist ways. Life is tough for a whole lot of other people too so this should never be an excuse.

What a shame...a government that keeps it word..!!!

Anyone who helps the U.S., including veterans, should recognize by now that the U.S. always stands ready to stab its patriots and supporters in the back.

We obviously don't know all the details. But from the description provided, it sure sounds like he ought to be in the witness protection program. No one disputes that the provided extremely valuable information. He should not now be in danger.

The U.S. takes care of its own. Puerto Rico (2017-?). South Iraqis (1991). More that I can't remember.

In exchange for his valuable information, the USA did not arrest, try and execute him for treason. That's a good deal. I mean just a short while ago this serial traitor was plotting to kills us. Now he is living off the people he was training to kill. What else does he want?

I want to hope that the FBI is not that silly and, based on his profile, decided to put him in a certain position where he may reach out to previous collaborators and lead to new info. Otherwise, it's a very short-sighted decision.

"I helped them kill all my friends," mujahid Vinas whines while tucking into a delicious sandwich. We are bargaining with monsters. His usefulness is over, we owe the terrorist nothing more than what we've done already -- keeping him from an early grave in a sand pit. Let him work for a living and think about what it's like for the other people who "live in fear" -- the people targeted by those "friends" he still mourns. Over a delicious sandwich at Katz's.

Given its context, this paragraph proves that Kafka lives on: “I helped them kill my friends,” Mr. Vinas explained while eating pastrami on a hoagie roll with mayonnaise, his choice of condiment drawing a weird look from his lawyer and the waiter. He added, “If that doesn’t show how you’re willing to turn your life around, I don’t know what will.” Only in America, only in Manhattan, only at Katz’s Delicatessen (no snark intended)!

He's lucky he's not in Guantanamo and is instead eating pastrami in the LES (paid for with food stamps) - Not a bad deal if you ask me.

Putting him to work is any time a better option than giving him food stamps. Give him work and have him pay taxes just like most Americans do. Save those food stamps to parents who really need to feed the kids and cannot make ends meet despite working 2 sometimes 3 jobs.

Another story about FBI incompetence, malice, or indifference? It is almost every week now!

And this is the reason why the general population doesn't "snitch." Law enforcement takes advantage of "whistleblowers" and once used turns on them by calling them troublemakers.

If the intent of the article is to draw attention to the injustice of Mr. Vinas's vulnerability, why didn't the author leave out the details of where he lives/dines?

It is very interesting that we were given the full name and location of this man, as well as the name of his lawyer. If he wasn't in danger before this article, he certainly is now. Will the publication of this article help him to get into witness protection after all? It should.

I cannot begin to understand the reasons Mr. Vinas had for becoming a terrorist. That being said, he did cooperate with authorities and gave supposedly valuable information to help defeat or at least make things harder for Qaeda in their insane quest to destroy western civilization. Part of the deal was witness protection and a new life and the government has reneged on the deal. Make no mistake I have no sympathy for Mr. Vinas, but I do believe that if a deal was made and the information and assistance he gave was truly valuable, the deal should have been kept.

they dont take food stamps at that deli

I am a retired career prosecutor who has been involved in numerous deals with offenders to turn state's evidence. These are negotiated agreements, and the terms of the settlements govern the treatment of offenders. It seems pretty obvious that this terrorist was not offered guaranteed witness protection in his plea deal. So despite the consternation of the judge, this guy cannot expect to receive the benefits of a deal that was never made. If he is denied the safety of witness protection, a very expensive program for the government, too bad for him. It was apparently never a guaranteed term of his deal and it ist's difficult to feel sorry for him--he took up arms against his country and reasonably could have expected to be dead by now at the hands of our military. Instead, he got a relatively short prison term and then was freed. If he is in danger, it is due to his own actions. And as far as deterring the cooperation of future American terrorists is concerned, we are fortunate to have had very, very few of those homegrown radicalized Islamic terrorists to deal with, and we have managed to kill most of them overseas.. Cooperators like Vinas only have value to us if they can provide evidence against other terrorists, and those are rare.

Honestly, he's lucky he didn't end up on the receiving end of a Hellfire missile or in a Supermax. He should just be happy he is able to enjoy that pastrami at Katz's. I hope the author wasn't trying to make this guy a sympathetic figure, because he isn't. At least he is still alive. Which is more than I would wish on these animals.

Convicted Nazi SS terrorist. He Turned on Nazis and Aided the U.K. Now He’s on Food Stamps and Needs a Job. And he still lives free to wander the streets of his victims whilst the families he affected have only ghosts and unfathomable grief, how cruel of justice.

I am the attorney who has represented Mr. Vinas for many years and wanted to add some information to the discussion since, not surprisingly, there are a variety of opinions. To borrow a military phrase, his cooperation with the government helped diminish AQ’s “operational capability” to the point where it is no longer the threat that it once was. In real life terms, this means that the information Mr. Vinas provided saved lives. A countless number of lives. Faceless, nameless people that would have been victims of the terrorist attacks that his information help prevent. And there was and is no dispute about this conclusion from any agency of the government. Mr. Vinas never injured anyone, and he spent ten years in jail, cut off from most of the world. Regretfully, much of the information about this case is classified. But the nation owes Mr. Vinas a debt that can never truly be repaid. He deserves better than to be abandoned.

What the article omits is that the plea deal offered by the prosecution and approved by the judge did not promise witness protection; it offered reduced charges and/or a reduced sentencing request from the prosecution and under sentencing guidelines in return for his plea and cooperation. Those promises were fulfilled, and they provide inducement for others in his situation to cooperate in the future. The plea agreement may have included an agreement to recommend him for witness protection, but would not have made a guarantee. Furthermore, he himself says he is not afraid, and so he has no need of witness protection except to ensure him housing, a basic living allowance, healthcare and jobs assistance; these are items we do not universally provide to citizens that have not committed treason. While I support universal housing, healthcare, and public jobs for anyone willing to work but unable to find private employment, I don't see this guy as a priority.

Have to say a pretty shocking turn of events, especially for an exceptional cooperating witness, engaged and fully participating extensively, and for years, with numerous persons acknowledging such by the wealth of experience, information, networks, procedures, personages, relationships, and knowledge shared. All unraveling due to one psychologists impressions/assessment. I would be very interested in reviewing the psychologist's report and just what data led him to assess that such risk existed, after nearly a decade of changed and redirected behavior--both thought and behavior, compliance, and full cooperation, all to his own significant risk, and to have that be ignored in this assessment. And then to have the catalyst for perpetrating a huge betrayal by the US government, it's law enforcement and legal representatives, essentially abandoning him on the street. Truly, a grotesque Orwellian outcome. And American's naively wonder why some people hold us, not our freedom or democracy, but us, in contempt. How conniving, how deceitful. That psychologist should be brought forward to defend his report. The data that he used to generate such a risk assessment finding should be completely reviewed. Reviewed by his state licensing board, as well as the APA. The seriousness of these events cannot be underestimated. As a New Yorker, downtown on that fate filled horrific morning, I can say, -now- this man actually has a reason to be a risk. Not prior. Now. Thank you, Doctor.

An important consideration of our legal system is whether someone who has committed criminal acts can be reformed, how justice can help them reform, and if they have actually reformed. Regardless of personal animus toward an individual and their actions, we are supposed to trust in the fair and balanced application of the law. Whistleblowers who provide important information on criminal organizations are tricky, because in the public mind the person originally committed a crime against society, and then effectively committed a crime against the criminal organization they were with. Their trustworthiness is considered malleable in part due to their active help in stopping their former co-workers and friends. It seems odd on one level, but on a deeper level some people prefer to see others conforming with norms even in outlaw organizations. Mr. Vinas committed a serious crime, yes. He did not voluntarily turn himself in, but after he was caught, he returned to the norms we value. He gave a great deal of information to the FBI, a good deal of which was accurate and actionable, meaning his help allowed the FBI to save American lives. His journey toward a law-abiding life has been difficult at best, but he served his time and been particularly cooperative in ways that many law enforcement agencies and prosecutors would want far more often than they get. His status should be reviewed. Give him the chance he has now earned in turning away so dramatically from his previous life.

They at least should give it a try instead pre-judging the situation. If he fails then off on his own he goes. If not the right steps have been taken.

There are other ways to make someone talk besides admitting them to a witness protection program.

Mr. Vinas is a fine example of the old saying that there is no honor among thieves. Judging by his treatment by our government subsequent to his arrest, there is no honor at the Justice Department, either. The larger issue, to me, is Mr. Vinas' emotional and personal distance from his own country. How many volatile young men feel disenfranchised and disconnected from the bounty and opportunity that we believe are the benefits of life in America? And what are we doing to give them the opportunity to share in that bounty and strengthen their allegiance to their country?

The main problem I see with the handling of Mr. Vinas by the FBI is it may serve as a deterrent either to get cooperation from future operatives, or cooperation that may be less-than-complete as what was given by Mr. Vinas. It may have felt good for those in the FBI who denied the protection program application (and maybe an agent or two that was reluctant to work with a convicted terrorist), but I think the long term interests of protecting America, and Americans everywhere, has been weakened.

We want people like him to tell us what they know. I am not knowledgeable about the witness protection program. However, it is my understanding that those protected are monitored. If so, anyone like this man could be placed in it and further criminal activity detected.

If he want to work, he should be given a job so he can take care of himself. He certainly shouldn't be out of a place to live as long as he tries to be a contributing part of the society. That's what we do in Sweden.

My greatest fear is that terrorists who are thinking of giving up and cooperate and get protection would have second thoughts. More than a few of these terrorist recruits get disillusioned with the terrorist ideology very quickly but do not have a venue to turn to get out of that life. If the message goes out that we would not give them a chance, at least some of them who renounce terrorism and sincerely want to amalgate in the society; we are the loosers. That said, I do NOT think that Mr. Vinas really needs protection. Al Qaeda is too busy finding food and recruits and surviving the DRONES, to worry about him or have the resources to track him down.

EVERYONE in the witness protection program is a "bad guy." That is why they are in the program. They did something bad. Typically, lots of things bad. BUT they provided valuable information to the government and in exchange for the information, the government provides them new identities, etc. If the government didn't provide the protection, it would not get cooperating witnesses. Certainly none of these people would exchange years in jail for a death penalty outside. So there is a quid pro quo. That is the deal, and generally it is good for the public. Spending a small amount of money and effort to convict a criminal enterprise. And, while many will disagree, I don't believe that someone like Mr. Vinas is a greater threat to the country, or more dangerous than Donald F. Trump? Who will / has killed more people?

Once again we see that America doesn't keep it's promises. Not to it's citizens, not to it's allies, and not to it's spies and informants. Why should anyone help our government when we're just going to burn them anyway?

I'm not really sure what to say except this guy should have thought about that before he pledged loyalty to Al Qaeda. He made his bed. Let him lie in it.

The point is not that he deserves protection because he was a good person or somehow deserving of sympathy. The point was that protection is the price for getting unique and valuable information from direct sources. If the FBI etc cannot fulfill promises of protection no one will be willing to give evidence. And we need informants.

All the haters here don’t realize the upside of having him in protection... it means the govt will be able to track his future movements. Obviously he’s not a “normal” guy and I certainly wouldn’t want to ever meet him. But he made his choices and agreed to accept certain risk in cooperating with the FBI. That is worth something. Finally, this story will be further used to convince potential al qaeda recruits that the US is untrustworthy. Good luck getting any other terrorists to flip again.

Why do we imagine that cooperating witnesses must be "good people" to "deserve" protection? Cooperating witnesses, almost by definition, have done bad things. Cooperating witnesses against organized crime families, for example, have participated in murders, extortions, gun-running, drug-dealing, etc. They don't get into the witness protection program because they have lived good lives. They don't get into witness protection because we feel sorry for them. They get into witness protection for the hard-headed, pragmatic reason that, without the promise of protection, there would be very few mafia informants, and without mafia informants, there would be very few mafia convictions. Same for cooperating witnesses against terrorist organizations. Of course Vinas was a terrorist - how else would he have information useful to criminal or military prosecution of al Qaeda? Witness protection isn't a reward for his cooperation, it's an incentive for others to come forward. Without insider cooperation, we're fighting terrorist organizations with one hand tied behind our backs. Even in terms of Vinas himself, this makes no sense. In witness protection, Vinas would be closely monitored by the feds for the rest of his life. Leaving him to himself on the streets of New York, living on food stamps and Medicaid, seems to me to maximize the chances that his disillusionment will fester into anger and revenge, driving him back to those who once took him in. politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com

I have to vehemently disagree with the three prior comments. It's not about rewarding criminal behavior but keeping a commitment to an informant who supplied extremely valuable information in our fight against al Qaeda. This is similar too how America has abandoned translators and guides in Iraq and Afghanistan after they put themselves and their families in danger to help us. It is not only shameful and unethical, it's bad policy. As the article points out, who would take such a risk in the future?

Wouldn't common sense tell the FBI they need to help this guy, keep him safe & keep in close touch with this guy to make sure he doesn't re-radicalize?

Eating pastrami with mayo? He'll be spotted in a second.

Why would anyone expect Sessions' Justice Department to avoid the stupidity and lack of compassion which characterize Trump's administration?

I don't know what exactly he did or didn't do. Thousands of Americans have lost their lives in the past 20 years since these morons started blowing up things. This guy should be thankful he wasn't executed for treason. Having said the, a deal is a deal and apparently his lawyers didn't negotiate a good one for him. There will be no tears for him in this house.

The Robber Baron way. Talk some poor chump into fighting for you - putting your life on the line and often losing it for their personal power wars - and they reward you by throwing you to the wolves. It happened/is happning to the black population. It happened to the Irish. It happened to the Chinese. It's happening today to the Hispanic population they brought in to do their underpaid dirty work. It happens to OUR U.S. veterans daily. Remember the song, "Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys"? I say mamas don't let your babies grow up to be military. They'll either go corrupt and help the Robber Barons steal from you - and us - or they'll be killed and/or maimed and thrown on the humanity dumps the Robber Barons love to fend for themselves. WE THE PEOPLE must stop allowing the Robber Barons to get us involved in their power wars. NO WW3.

Sorry Mr Vivas but a lot of ex convict are in food stamps. Does he deserve the witness protection program? 1) Mr Vivas started to cooperate with the FBI AFTER his arrest. He never contacted US authority prior his arrest. His intent was purely based on convenience and not on remorse. 2) Mr. Vivas voluntarily joined the Al Qaeda and even discussed plan for terrorist attack. We are not talking about an avarage mob doing some trafficking. Now, he went to jail and paid a price. I wish him the best and i hope his life will turn around for the best. However, being financially rewarded for his cooperation....NO!

Are we supposed to feel bad we're not paying for his upkeep? He's lucky he's not in a dark hole for the rest of his life

Normally a traitor should not expect many favors. Vinas first turned on his country, joined the enemy, trained with them and promoted ideas to attack his homeland. Then he claims he killed his new best friends. So instead of being droned or given an appropriate sentence a judge far from the carnage hopes to let Vinas free and set him up for life and give him access to a government program where he could do more damage. Cry me a river. However, do not feel to bad for Vinas since he is still living a better life than his comrades in Afghanistan and most of the Middle East, all at the courtesy of the US taxpayer whom he took a vow to kill.