The arrest of an Afghan nationwide accused of planning an Election Day terror plot is fueling considerations from congressional lawmakers that there could possibly be extra potential terror threats who arrived as a part of the tens of 1000’s who got here to the U.S. within the wake of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“There was a vulnerability that was left that was capable of be taken benefit of by, on this case, ISIS. It could possibly be Taliban subsequent time. It could possibly be every other terrorist group on the market. And what I concern… is that this is only one of in all probability tens, I would not say lots of, however tens of extra people which are in the identical state of affairs,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., instructed Fox Information.
Authorities introduced final week the arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan nationwide who got here to the U.S. in 2021 after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Tawhedi is charged with conspiring and trying to offer materials assist to ISIS and receiving a firearm for use to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism. Authorities say he liquidated his household’s belongings to finance his plan, together with buying rifles and one-way tickets for his spouse and little one again to Afghanistan.
MAYORKAS REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON AFGHAN ACCUSED OF ELECTION DAY TERROR PLOT
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi is seen making the “Tawhid” gesture. (Division of Justice)
“This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent assault, on Election Day, right here on our homeland,” mentioned FBI Director Christopher Wray in an announcement.
Court docket filings initially said that he got here on a particular immigrant visa however have since clarified that he got here to the U.S. through humanitarian parole and later utilized for SIV standing.
A senior administration official instructed Fox Information final week that Tawhedi was screened thrice. He was screened first to work safety for the CIA in Afghanistan, then for humanitarian parole to enter the U.S. in 2021, when he was vetted and screened in a 3rd nation, after which for particular immigrant standing, for which he was authorized. His standing has not but been finalized. Officers imagine he was radicalized after coming to the U.S.
AFGHAN NATIONAL CHARGED WITH ELECTION DAY TERROR PLOT REIGNITES VETTING CONCERNS
There’s additionally no indication that there have been any crimson flags that ought to have barred his entry at any level within the course of. His alleged co-conspirator within the case entered the nation in 2018 and likewise handed vetting to obtain a inexperienced card.
Tawhedi entered through the mass evacuation effort because the Taliban took again Afghanistan. The U.S. would go on to confess greater than 97,000 evacuees, of which about 77,000 have been admitted through humanitarian parole, by a program known as Operation Allies Welcome.
Republicans and the Homeland Safety inner watchdog have repeatedly raised points in regards to the vetting course of for Afghan nationals, and final week’s arrest has solely served to refuel these considerations.
“After the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, we knew that there was no actual vetting strategy of Afghan nationals coming into america. There have been main considerations about potential terror plots to the homeland. That is the issue with the Harris-Biden administration,” Rep Byron Donalds, R-Fla., mentioned. “No accountability, no critical planning, masking up crises that, frankly, occur in entrance of the eyes of the American folks.”
AFGHAN MAN IN OKLAHOMA PLOTTED ELECTION DAY TERROR ATTACK IN US ON BEHALF OF ISIS, JUSTICE DEPT SAYS
President Biden sought to attach his administration to the positions of Kamala Harris at a shock press briefing look. (Getty Photographs/Pool)
The Biden administration has repeatedly defended the vetting course of, arguing that there’s a multilayered course of that features categorised and unclassified vetting, together with in opposition to Pentagon and FBI databases in addition to Interpol notices and different data.
“Afghan evacuees who sought to enter america have been topic to multi layered screening and vetting in opposition to intelligence, regulation enforcement, and counterterrorism data,” a DHS spokesperson mentioned on Wednesday. “If new data emerges after arrival, acceptable motion is taken.”
The 2 senators from Oklahoma have each acquired briefings from the FBI on the matter. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., additionally pressured the hazards going through the nation.
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“That is actual. And we now have folks which are making an attempt to have the ability to kill us which are inside our personal nation, they’re planning,” Lankford instructed Fox Information. “An open border is a hazard. We have seen that already, that we’re dwelling on borrowed time by this second.”
Fox Information’ Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report.
