In a briefing call with reporters, a senior administration official pointed to the report as evidence that the United States needs to reform its immigration system, including to eliminate the diversity visa lottery and extended family-based immigration, in favor of high-skilled immigrants.

But the official said the administration was not ready to release statistical information on the manner of entry of the individuals convicted.

The US Department of Homeland Security recently released a study on the link between immigration and terrorism. The report, issued on Tuesday, said about 73 percent of the 549 individuals convicted of "international terrorism-related" charges in US federal courts between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2016, were born outside the United States.