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The arrest of an Afghan nationwide accused of planning an Election Day terror plot is fueling considerations from congressional lawmakers that there may very well be extra potential terror threats who arrived as a part of the tens of hundreds who got here to the U.S. within the wake of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“There was a vulnerability that was left that was able to be taken advantage of by, in this case, ISIS. It could be Taliban next time. It could be any other terrorist organization out there. And what I fear… is this is just one of probably tens, I wouldn’t say hundreds, but tens of more individuals that are in the same situation,” 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 attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland,” mentioned FBI Director Christopher Wray in an announcement.
Courtroom filings initially acknowledged 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 authorised. His standing has not but been finalized. Officers consider he was radicalized after coming to the U.S.
AFGHAN NATIONAL CHARGED WITH ELECTION DAY TERROR PLOT REIGNITES VETTING CONCERNS
There may be 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 in addition handed vetting to obtain a inexperienced card.
Tawhedi entered in the course of 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 had been admitted through humanitarian parole, by means of a program referred to as Operation Allies Welcome.
Republicans and the Homeland Safety inside watchdog have repeatedly raised points concerning 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 real vetting process of Afghan nationals coming into the United States. There were major concerns about potential terror plots to the homeland. This is the problem with the Harris-Biden administration,” Rep Byron Donalds, R-Fla., mentioned. “No accountability, no serious planning, covering up crises that, frankly, happen in front of the eyes of the American people.”
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 Photos/Pool)
The Biden administration has repeatedly defended the vetting course of, arguing that there’s a multilayered course of that features categorized 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 the United States were subject to multi layered screening and vetting against intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism information,” a DHS spokesperson mentioned on Wednesday. “If new information emerges after arrival, appropriate action is taken.”
The 2 senators from Oklahoma have each obtained briefings from the FBI on the matter. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., additionally confused the hazards going through the nation.
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“This is real. And we have people that are trying to be able to kill us that are within our own country, they’re planning,” Lankford instructed Fox Information. “An open border is a danger. We’ve seen that already, that we’re living on borrowed time through this moment.”
Fox Information’ Jacqui Heinrich contributed to this report.
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