Biden Administration Under Fire: Lawmakers Demand Accountability for Afghan Refugee Vetting Failures

Police officers arresting and handcuffing a man kneeling.

An Afghan refugee, admitted on a Special Immigrant Visa, has been arrested for plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on U.S. soil, igniting fierce criticism of the Biden administration’s refugee vetting process.

At a Glance

Afghan native Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi arrested for plotting ISIS-inspired terror attack
Nearly 80,000 Afghan evacuees resettled in U.S. with potentially inadequate vetting
Federal watchdog report confirmed serious flaws in refugee screening process
Lawmakers subpoena DHS Secretary Mayorkas for answers on vetting failures
Growing concern about potential terror threats from inadequately screened migrants

Arrest Sparks Outrage Over Refugee Vetting

The recent arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan native who entered the United States on a Special Immigrant Visa, has ignited a firestorm of criticism against the Biden administration’s handling of refugee screenings. Tawhedi, accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about national security and immigration policies.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) resettled nearly 80,000 Afghan evacuees in the U.S. between July 2021 and January 2022. However, alarming reports suggest that many of these individuals may have been insufficiently vetted due to incomplete or missing data. This revelation has raised serious concerns about the potential risks to American citizens.

So far, Biden/Harris administration officials have declined to discuss what was done to vet this person. DHS said in a statement:

"Afghan evacuees who sought to enter the United States were subject to multi layered screening and vetting against intelligence, law enforcement,… https://t.co/PT69suxPA8

— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) October 9, 2024

Lawmakers Demand Accountability

Key lawmakers, including Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson, have raised serious concerns about the administration’s apparent disregard for national security in their rush to process Afghan refugees. These concerns are not unfounded – a federal watchdog report from 2022 confirmed that critical screening data was often inaccurate, incomplete, or entirely absent.

“I was highly vocal about the need to thoroughly vet SIV applicants during – and in the weeks, months and years following – the Biden-Harris administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. But the White House, executive agencies and many of my Democratic colleagues in Congress were quick to dismiss those glaring alarms,” Grassley said. “The number one job of our government is to protect its citizens. By hiding behind clerical excuses, refusing to take accountability and neglecting to address known vulnerabilities in vetting and resettlement processes, the Biden-Harris administration failed to prioritize Americans’ safety and, once again, projected weakness on the global stage.”

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark E. Green has taken decisive action, issuing a subpoena to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for failing to provide adequate answers about the vetting process. The committee’s frustration stems from what they describe as “indecipherable or incomplete data” provided by DHS, hampering their oversight efforts.

Biden-Harris team was flagged for weak vetting of Afghan refugees, now one charged in terror plot https://t.co/mYOaXO8goI

— Just the News (@JustTheNews) October 9, 2024

A Pattern of Negligence?

This is not an isolated incident. The Biden administration’s policies have long been criticized for potentially weakening our national security. The hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 left many questioning the thoroughness of refugee screenings. Now, with Tawhedi’s arrest, these fears appear to have been justified.

“For years, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle in Congress warned the Biden-Harris administration’s bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan weakened security abroad and raised terror risks at home with the inadequate vetting of refugees hurriedly settled into the United States in fall 2021.” – Just the News

Senator Ron Johnson expressed his concerns, stating, “I fear this case is only the tip of the iceberg.” This sentiment is echoed by many who worry that the current vetting procedures may be allowing potential threats to slip through the cracks.

Protecting American Citizens

As proud Americans, we must demand better from our government. The primary duty of any administration is to protect its citizens. By neglecting proper vetting procedures, the Biden administration is failing in this fundamental responsibility.

“Unfortunately, our calls for transparency regarding the inadequate vetting and screening following the catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan continue to go unanswered and here Americans almost paid the price,” said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green. He added, “We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement in thwarting this alleged terror plot on Election Day, but President Biden and Vice President Harris must reverse course on their misguided policies and put the safety and security of the American people first.”

The arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of lax vetting procedures. As the debate over immigration and national security continues, it is clear that the Biden administration must take immediate action to address these critical shortcomings and prioritize the safety of American citizens.