Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday declined to answer questions about an Afghan national accused in an election-day terror plot on behalf of ISIS, amid continuing concerns over vetting of people brought to the United States.
FOX News' Jackie Heinrich reports that Nasir Ahmad, who was arrested and charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and receiving a firearm for use in the commission of a felony or federal crime of terrorism, asked Mayorkas during a White House briefing regarding Tawhidi.
Filings in the case originally said Tauhedi came to the U.S. on a special immigrant visa in September 2021 after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and was currently on parole, but authorities have since said. It is revealed that he came to the United States after being released on humanitarian parole. I applied for SIV status.
Afghan national accused of election-day terrorist plot, renewing fears of scrutiny
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a briefing at the White House in Washington, October 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mr. Heinrich asked Mr. Mayorkas how he was brought to the United States and what tests he underwent. But Mayorkas said he wanted to focus on the impact of hurricanes Helen and Milton. He was in North Carolina and participated in the briefing remotely.
“Over 200 people lost their lives in Hurricane Helen. There are reports that at least 10 people lost their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. I would also like to answer your question in a different setting. “But we're here to talk about the emergency and the help we can provide to those in desperate need,” he said.
Mr. Heinrich asked the question again, asking specifically why he didn't have an answer ready, and Mr. Mayorkas said he didn't.
“What I said was that I would be happy to discuss this issue another time, but I am here to talk about a disaster that is impacting people's lives in real time. is the subject we are addressing today,” he said. Said.
Heinrich followed up and asked again, but Mayorkas again declined.
“Jackie, your tenacity with questions will match my tenacity with answers,” he said.
After the exchange, a government official told Fox News that Tawhidi had been shown three times. He was first screened to work as a CIA security guard in Afghanistan, then screened for humanitarian parole to enter the United States in 2021, where he underwent screening and vetting in a third country, and then special Immigration status was reviewed and approved. His status has not yet been finalized. Authorities now believe he became radicalized after coming to the U.S.
There is also no indication that there were any red flags at any point in the process that should have barred him. The alleged co-conspirator in the case entered the country in 2018 and passed the test for a green card.
Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi makes the 'Tawhid' gesture. (Ministry of Justice)
An Afghan man from Oklahoma planned an election-day terrorist attack in the country on behalf of ISIS, the Justice Department says.
The United States hosted more than 97,000 evacuees during the 2021 evacuations, approximately 77,000 of whom entered the country on humanitarian parole through a program called Operation Welcoming Allies.
But the new incident renews concerns about scrutiny of the program, concerns that have been raised for years by internal DHS watchdogs and Republicans in Congress. In 2022, DHS Office of Inspector General The report said it found authorities “do not always have the critical data to properly screen, vet, and test evacuees.”
“As a result, DHS may have admitted or paroled individuals into the United States who posed a risk to national security or community safety,” the report said.
DHS OIG warns of possible national security threat entering our country due to violation of Afghanistan review
Department of Defense Inspector General Report That same year, at least 50 evacuees were brought to the United States with information that indicated “potentially serious safety concerns,” and authorities brought dozens of evacuees with derogatory information. It became clear that it could not be found.
A 2024 report found “weaknesses” in the processes by which two DHS agencies resolve derogatory information. It also found that DHS does not have a process for monitoring the expiration of two-year parole terms and that the guidelines for determining the “re-parole” of parolees are “undefined.”
The Biden administration has repeatedly defended the vetting process, saying it is a multi-layered process that includes classified and unclassified reviews, such as reviews of Pentagon and FBI databases, Interpol notifications and other information. insisted.
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“Afghan evacuees who sought admission to the United States were subject to multiple layers of screening and scrutiny by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism intelligence agencies,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Wednesday. “If new information becomes available after arrival, we will respond appropriately.”
But the revelations only fueled Republican concerns. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Greene said in a letter to Mayorkas on Tuesday that the Biden-Harris administration would allow terrorist suspects to plot on U.S. soil and protect U.S. national security. He said it was “unacceptable” that such measures were not taken. terrorist attack. ”
Fox News' Matteo Cina contributed to this report.
