| A Jordanian man living in the United States illegally has been charged with lying about his immigration status to obtain a pilot's license. Sami Abuhamatto, 24, was arrested Friday and was being held pending a hearing on Monday. There are no allegations that the case is terrorism-related. The flight industry has seen increased security since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks prompted concerns that flight schools could again become training grounds for terrorists. Abuhamatto's six-month visitors visa expired in 1996, according to court documents. He applied for the pilot's license in May 2002, claiming he was a U.S. citizen born in Brookfield, the Chicago suburb where he lives, the documents show. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the application less than a week later. Authorities said they learned of the incident after Abuhamatto arranged a bogus marriage late last year in an effort to gain resident alien status. |