Eight individuals from the Central Asian country of Tajikistan with suspected links to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have been arrested in the United States, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to counter terrorism.
The arrests took place in New York City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. According to anonymous sources who spoke to the Associated Press (AP), these individuals had entered the country via the southern border last spring and had successfully passed through the U.S. government's screening process. Despite initial vetting that showed no indication of ties to ISIS at the time, concerns later arose about their presence, prompting further action.
While the exact nature of their connections to the Islamic State remains unclear, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force had been closely monitoring them. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the arrest alongside the task force, and is now handling the deportation process for the eight Tajikistanis. (Related: Abandoned bag near the border wall in southern Texas yields ammo, homemade explosive device.)
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE's parent agency, issued a statement confirming the arrests of "several non-citizens." It emphasized that the U.S. continues to operate in a heightened threat environment." CBS News meanwhile noted that while there was no active terror plot involving the Tajikistanis, information regarding their activities raised significant concerns.
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NBC News provided additional context, stating that the FBI task force had been alerted to a potential terrorist threat originating from Central Europe. This prompted increased surveillance which ultimately led to the arrest of the individuals as part of the broader investigation. They now face deportation proceedings, though an official noted that deporting individuals to Tajikistan presents operational and diplomatic challenges.
In April, FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the increasing threats from violent extremists, particularly in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Operation Al-Aqsa Flood attack launched by Hamas on Israel. He expressed concerns about potential terrorists exploiting vulnerabilities at the southern border, underscoring the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift action to counter such threats.
Sen. Lankford sounds the alarm on national security
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) meanwhile sounded the alarm on national security following the arrests of the eight Tajikistanis during a June 12 address on the Senate floor. He highlighted the shift in border demographics, noting an increase in Special Interest Aliens (SIAs) from regions known for terrorist activities.
The senator for the Sooner State said the southern border has seen "a significant influx" of individuals from Tajikistan, West Africa, China, Russia and Pakistan. While these individuals aren't on the terror watch list, they nevertheless pose potential threats due to their undocumented entry and lack of vetting.
Lankford revealed that last year, 70,000 SIAs entered the U.S. and this year, the number has already reached 53,000. The recent arrests of ISIS-affiliated suspects underscore the urgent need for enhanced border security measures.
"The current approach, releasing individuals and then hoping to identify threats, is inadequate," Lankford argued. He criticized the Biden administration's handling of border control, calling for proactive screening to prevent potential threats from entering the country. The GOP senator concluded by urging swift legislative action to reform the screening process and tighten border security.
"We cannot afford to wait for the FBI to detect threats after individuals have already entered our country. We must enforce stronger measures to protect national security."
Watch former U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz revealing the Biden administration's negligence in handling the southern border in the clip below.
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