U.S. officials have revealed that the Afghan national accused of plotting an Election Day terror attack was radicalized two years after coming to the United States on humanitarian parole as part of Operation Allies Welcome. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi sought an extension of his lawful parole status in August 2023 and passed another round of screening and vetting conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at that time. He had previously been vetted in September 2021 when he was paroled into the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security as part of Operation Allies Welcome. Officials believe that no derogatory information was missed during these screenings.
It wasn’t until August 2024 that derogatory information on Tawhedi was identified by federal law enforcement partners and DHS’ external recurrent vetting systems. When Tawhedi came to the attention of federal law enforcement, the recurrent vetting systems also flagged him, and DHS was already in communication with the FBI at the local level. U.S. authorities moved swiftly upon discovering this derogatory information and also informed French authorities about a relative of Tawhedi who was allegedly involved in discussions about a similar planned attack in France. This relative, a 22-year-old Afghan national, was arrested by French authorities over the weekend on suspicion of planning an ISIS-inspired attack in France.
The FBI released a statement emphasizing the importance of partnerships in detecting and disrupting potential terrorist attacks, highlighting the collaboration between U.S. and French law enforcement agencies. The statement noted that recent arrests in France and by the FBI’s Oklahoma City field office showcased the effectiveness of such partnerships in preventing acts of terrorism and protecting communities from violence. The FBI reiterated its commitment to working with both domestic and international partners to uncover and thwart any terrorist plots that may threaten public safety.
The case of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi raises questions about the vetting process for individuals entering the United States through humanitarian parole programs like Operation Allies Welcome. Despite passing initial screenings and vetting procedures, Tawhedi’s radicalization and alleged involvement in a terror plot were only identified after being in the country for several years. This incident has led policymakers and lawmakers to demand answers from the Biden administration about the effectiveness of current vetting protocols and the potential security risks posed by individuals admitted through humanitarian programs.
The revelation that Tawhedi was not vetted for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status, despite previous claims by the Biden administration, has raised concerns about the accuracy and thoroughness of the screening processes for individuals fleeing conflict zones and seeking refuge in the United States. The failure to identify derogatory information on Tawhedi until several years after his arrival has highlighted gaps in the vetting system and prompted a reevaluation of protocols for admitting individuals with potential security risks. The incident has underscored the challenges of balancing humanitarian concerns with national security imperatives in the context of refugee admissions and asylum policies.
In response to the incident, U.S. authorities have emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring and recurrent vetting of individuals admitted into the country through humanitarian parole programs. The swift action taken upon discovering derogatory information on Tawhedi demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to identifying and addressing potential threats to public safety. The case also highlights the significance of international partnerships in combatting terrorism and the need for coordinated efforts to prevent terrorist attacks on a global scale. As policymakers continue to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding this incident, the focus remains on enhancing security measures and strengthening vetting procedures to safeguard against future threats.
