Arrest of an Afghan National Congressional lawmakers accused of plotting terrorist plots on Election Day are raising concerns that there could be more potential terrorist threats as part of the tens of thousands of people arriving in the United States in the wake of the withdrawal of the Afghanistan.
“There was a vulnerability that, in this case, could be exploited by ISIS. It could be the Taliban next time. It could be any other terrorist organization out there. And what I'm afraid of… is just maybe one of dozens, I wouldn't say hundreds, but ten other people who are in the same situation,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, told Fox News.
Authorities last week announced the arrest of Nasir Ahmed Tawhedi, an Afghan national who came to the United States in 2021 after withdrawing from Afghanistan. Tawhedi is accused of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm for use in the commission of a terrorism crime or a federal crime. Authorities say he left his family's wealth to finance his plans, which included buying rifles and return tickets to Afghanistan for his wife and children.
Mallorca refused to answer questions about an Afghan accused of plotting terrorism on election day
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi is seen making the 'Tawheed' gesture. (Judiciary)
“This defendant, inspired by ISIS, planned to carry out a violent attack, right here in our homeland, on Election Day,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.
Court documents initially stated that he came on a special immigrant visa, but have since clarified that he came to the United States through humanitarian parole and later applied for SIV status.
A senior administration official told Fox News last week that Tawhedi was shown three times. He was selected first to work for CIA security in Afghanistan, then for humanitarian parole to enter the United States in 2021, when he was vetted and vetted in a third country, and then for special immigrant status, for which he was approved. Your status is not yet finalized. Authorities believe he became radicalized after arriving in the United States
Accused of terrorism on the day of the Afghan national elections
There is also no indication that there were warning signs that should have prevented his entry at any point in the process. His alleged co-conspirator in the case entered the country in 2018 and passed the test to obtain a green card.
Tawhedi entered during a mass evacuation effort as the Taliban retook Afghanistan. Through a program called Operation Allies Welcome, the United States has admitted more than 97,000 refugees, including about 77,000 through humanitarian parole.
Republicans and Homeland Security's domestic watchdogs have repeatedly raised questions about the vetting process for Afghan citizens, and last week's arrest only served to reiterate those concerns.
“After the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, we knew there was no real vetting process for Afghan citizens to come to the United States. There was great concern about possible terrorist plots in the country. That’s the problem with the Harris-Biden administration,” the congressman said. . Byron Donalds, R-Florida, said. “No accountability, no serious planning, covering up a crisis that is, frankly, happening before the eyes of the American people.”
Afghan man in Oklahoma planned election day terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS in US, Justice Department says
President Biden sought to connect his administration with Kamala Harris' position in a surprise appearance at a press conference. (Getty Images/Pool)
The Bidenn administration has repeatedly defended the vetting process, arguing that there is a multifaceted process that includes classified and unclassified checks against Pentagon and FBI databases, as well as Interpol notices and other information.
“Afghan evacuees seeking to enter the United States are subject to multiple levels of screening and verification of intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism information,” a DHS spokesperson said Wednesday. “If new information becomes available after arrival, appropriate action will be taken.”
Oklahoma's two senators received briefings from the FBI on the matter. Sen. Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, also emphasized the dangers facing the country.
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“It's real. And we have people who are trying to kill us in our own country, they are planning it,” Lankford told Fox News. “An open border is a danger. As we’ve already seen, we’re living on borrowed time right now.”
Fox News' Jackie Heinrich contributed to this report.
