Concerns Over Afghan Refugee Vetting
WASHINGTON — Chad Robichaud, a Marine scout with eight tours in Afghanistan, shared with the Post on Friday his views on the loyalty of some locals who fought against the Taliban. He remarked that instances of disloyalty to U.S. military allies occur more frequently than many people might think.
Robichaud, 50, has been raising concerns about the dangers associated with displaced Afghans since the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021. He believes that inadequate screening of refugees has heightened the threat of terrorism in the United States.
The topic of the U.S. troop withdrawal and the situation of Afghan refugees has resurfaced following the recent charging of an Afghan national in connection to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., just before Thanksgiving.
The accused shooter, Rahmanullah Rakanwal, 29, had reportedly spent a decade fighting the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS as part of an elite unit known as the Kandahar Strike Force, which was supported by the CIA, according to U.S. officials.
“When individuals work with the CIA or are part of special operations, they often collaborate with our military,” Robichaud explained. “In foreign countries, relying on local people carries an inherent risk.”
He continued, “The vetting process can be rapid. Engaging with the local populace creates opportunities, but it also means that there are dishonest individuals who might betray you, and this is more common than people think.”
Having worked extensively in Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal, Robichaud recounted troubling experiences with individuals he thought he could trust. He recalled, “I once shared a mountainside with a man trained by the CIA. I trusted him with my life, and he turned on us, leading to a car bombing at my house that resulted in the deaths of many of my teammates.”
He stressed that working with the CIA or special operations does not guarantee a pathway to U.S. admission. “The State Department needs to follow proper procedures in vetting those applicants,” he added.
Recently, CIA Director John Ratcliffe indicated that the Biden administration justified inviting Rakanwal to the U.S. in September 2021 due to his past collaborations with U.S. intelligence. However, the relevant operations had concluded shortly after the evacuation took place.
Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stated on Friday that Rakanwal had been recognized solely as a soldier fighting against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS in Afghanistan.
Kent noted, “[He] wasn’t evaluated for his suitability to live in America and integrate into society.” A senior U.S. official further remarked that while Rakanwal was vetted for combat, the procedures used by the Biden administration were unique and unprecedent.
Moving to Washington state, Rakanwal settled there with his wife and five children in September 2021 after undergoing only minimal screening related to potential ties to terrorist groups before relocating.
In the same year, around 85,000 Afghans entered the U.S. under Operation Welcoming Allies, with 10,000 having served alongside Rakanwal in the CIA-backed forces. Although Rakanwal sought a special immigrant visa, he was initially denied permanent residency, later applying for asylum, which was granted months later.
Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, attributed some issues to a “humanitarian parole” initiative introduced by the administration, which affects how Afghan refugees are treated in the U.S.
McLaughlin stated, “Mr. Biden’s parole program and the 2023 Ahmed Court Settlement force quick handling of asylum claims.” But she noted that prior administrations had previously halted immigration applications for Afghan nationals to reassess security and screening processes.
Reports from U.S. officials at the time of evacuation revealed that they often lacked critical information to effectively vet evacuees from Afghanistan. A nonprofit group of U.S. veterans, known as #AfghanEvac, highlighted that USCIS was meant to conduct thorough background checks and interviews to evaluate applicants like Rakanwal.
However, a senior U.S. official contested this, claiming no effective tests were in place to ensure the suitability of evacuees. “Prior to Biden, immigration procedures for special visas took significant time, but Biden has applied a hasty approach to those entering the country under wartime conditions,” the official remarked.
Robichaud, who was involved with special operations in Afghanistan, asserted that the number of Afghan nationals who arrived directly in the U.S. might have been as high as 100,000, often without proper vetting.
“They had no idea who was on those planes. It’s a serious concern,” he noted, explaining how he worked with various organizations to facilitate the evacuation of around 17,000 Afghans.
He emphasized that just because someone was approved to work with CIA special operations, it doesn’t automatically allow for U.S. residency: “They still have to navigate the application processes and abide by State Department regulations,” he said. “The pressure on the White House during that time was immense.”
