Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas On Thursday, Annan refused to answer questions about an Afghan national accused of plotting an election day terrorist attack for ISIS, amid ongoing concerns about scrutiny in the United States.
Fox News' Jackie Heinrich questioned the mayor at a White House briefing, Nasir Ahmed Tawhedi, who is accused of conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and receiving firearms for use in the commission of a federal terrorism crime.
In this case, it was initially said that Tawhedi came to the United States on Special Immigrant VisaFollowing the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in September 2021, he is now on parole, although authorities have since clarified that he came to the US on parole humanitarian and later applied for SIV status.
Accused of terrorism on the day of the Afghan national elections
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, October 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Heinrich asked Mayorkas how he was brought to the United States and examined. But Mayorkas said he wants to focus on the aftermath of hurricanes Helen and Milton. He was in North Carolina and participated in the briefing remotely.
“More than 200 people lost their lives in Hurricane Helen. We have reports that at least ten people lost their lives as a result. Hurricane Milton. And I would be more than happy to answer your questions in a different setting, but we are here to talk about emergencies and the assistance we can provide,” he said.
Heinrich asked again, specifically asking why his response wasn't ready, but Mayorkas said no.
“What I said is that I would be happy to discuss this issue at another time, but I'm here to talk about disasters that have affected people's lives in real time. And that’s something I’m addressing today,” he said.
Heinrich came to ask again, but Mayorkas refused again.
“Jackie, your persistence in asking questions can be matched by my persistence in answering,” she said.
After the exchange, a senior administration official told Fox News 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 – where he was tested and examined in a third country – and then for special immigrant status, for which he was approved. Your status is not yet finalized. Authorities currently believe he became radicalized after arriving in the United States
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.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi makes the 'Tawheed' gesture. (Judiciary)
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The US brought back more than 97,000 evacuees in 2021, including about 77,000 admitted on humanitarian parole, through a program called Operation Allies Welcome.
But the new case has renewed concerns about testing in the program, which has been characterized for years by internal DHS watchdogs and Republicans in Congress. In 2022, the DHS Office of Inspector General published a report in which it stated that authorities “did not always have critical data to adequately screen, screen or inspect deportees.”
“As a result, DHS may admit or release on parole individuals into the United States who pose a risk to national security and the safety of local communities,” the report stated.
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Pentagon Inspector General Report The same year revealed that at least 50 refugees were brought to the United States whose information indicated “potentially serious security concerns” and that authorities were unable to identify dozens with derogatory information.
A 2024 report found “weaknesses” in two DHS agencies’ processes for handling abusive information. It also found that DHS has no process for monitoring the completion of the two-year parole period and that the guidelines for determining “re-parole” for those on parole are “undefined.”
The Biden administration has repeatedly defended the vetting process, arguing that there is a multi-tiered process that includes classified and unclassified checks of Pentagon and FBI databases, as well as Interpol notices and other information.
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“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.”
But the latest revelation only fueled Republican concerns. In a letter to Mayorkas on Tuesday, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green said it was “unacceptable that the Biden-Harris administration is clearly failing to protect U.S. national security by allowing alleged terrorists to plot within the United States.” Terrorist attack.”
Fox News' Matteo Cena contributed to this report.
