Even though President Joe Biden initially downplayed the potential for a Taliban takeover, the administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in a significant number of evacuees being allowed entry without adequate reviews.
During the military efforts in Afghanistan, 55 Afghan evacuees were flagged on terrorist watchlists either upon arriving at U.S. entry points or during their evacuation and settlement process. A report released by the Department of Justice’s Inspector General highlighted this issue. The FBI noted that standard review procedures were bypassed following an ineffective military withdrawal.
According to the report, it is the responsibility of the U.S. government to ensure that individuals seeking entry do not pose a danger to national security or public safety, especially as the number of people entering the United States surged. The report explained that during the rush to evacuate people, protocols that usually identify threats were neglected, increasing the chances of harmful individuals taking advantage of the situation.
At the time, Christopher Wray, who was the FBI director, did not provide Congress with details about the screening procedures for Afghan evacuees. The FBI declined to comment when approached for additional information.
The DOJ Inspector General’s survey examined how well the FBI coordinated with federal partners, supported allies in shelters, and managed evacuees on watchlists. The findings criticized the rushed evacuation process, which ultimately resulted in inadequate review processes for Afghan evacuees.
The report did not hold the FBI accountable for the lapses in review, nor did it suggest any steps for corrective action.
Biden initiated a full military withdrawal from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021. He acknowledged that he was surprised by how swiftly the Taliban overtook the Afghan government, which led to a disorganized evacuation process for many Afghan citizens.
In July 2021, Biden believed a Taliban takeover was unlikely. However, once it happened, he expressed no expectation that the Afghan administration would collapse so quickly, considering the training and resources provided to Afghan soldiers.
The Biden administration has since rolled out programs to assist Afghans eligible for special immigration visas and coordinated efforts to facilitate the relocation of vulnerable individuals. Between the start of evacuations and March 2022, around 90,000 Afghan evacuees were allowed into the U.S.
From the 55 Afghans identified in the FBI’s terrorist screening database, 32 encountered U.S. officials at ports, while 23 others were already within the U.S. when they were identified.
Republican critics have pointed to the DOJ report as evidence of the risks associated with Biden’s withdrawal strategies. Senator Chuck Grassley emphasized the need for thorough vetting, stating that concerns had been raised since August 2021, yet these were often dismissed by Democratic colleagues and mainstream media.
Grassley remarked that the Biden administration jeopardizes American safety by permitting individuals with potential terrorist ties to enter the U.S. and that he would continue to monitor the situation.
Among the evacuees was Nasir Ahmad Tawedi, arrested in October 2024 for allegedly plotting an Election Day attack directed by ISIS, raising questions about how he was allowed entry into the U.S.
As of July 2024, 46 Afghan evacuees suspected of terrorist connections were removed from the watchlist for various reasons, although nine remained listed, according to the report.
