Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told CBS News on Sunday that the agency is doing “everything possible” to combat immigrant gangs in the United States, shortly before being questioned about allegations that Afghan immigrants were planning terrorist attacks. He said that
On October 8, federal authorities arrested 27-year-old Nasir Ahmad Tauhedi, who entered the country on humanitarian parole in September 2021 during the Taliban occupation of Kabul, on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in the United States on Election Day. announced that he had been arrested. Biden-Harris administration. On “Face the Nation,” host Margaret Brennan asked Mayorkas about the Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua, citing former President Donald Trump’s comments about the group’s deportation. I asked him if he was doing enough to fight gangs.
“Yes, we are too, and I think you are talking about Torren de Aragua from the TDA. Margaret, I was a prosecutor for 12 years. We are certainly doing everything we can to dismantle criminal organizations and transnational criminal organizations. We have, frankly, committed unprecedented levels of resources and personnel. We’ve been focused on this effort. This is not a new phenomenon, but we are bringing new tools, new capabilities, and new resources to the fight,” Mayorkas said.
“Could you briefly explain the status of last week’s arrest of this Afghan man who appears to have been planning an election day terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS, or this indictment that we learned of last week? He was in this country. Was he radicalized before he came to the United States?” Brennan pushed back.
DHS approved Taweedi’s humanitarian parole in 2021, allowing him to be held in a third country for testing and testing, and he applied for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) immediately after entering the United States. According to On Fox News. It is unclear when the 27-year-old’s SIV was approved, but officials told the outlet there were no red flags that would bar him from entering the United States.
Mayorkas said he could not discuss the “facts” because the case is “prosecution pending,” but he hopes the public understands what authorities are dealing with. (Related: ‘Can you hear yourself?’: J.D. Vance stunned after Raddatz minimizes apartment complex takeover by immigrant gang)
clock:
“So, Margaret, we’re not going to talk about the facts because the indictment is ongoing, but the people who are watching understand the breadth and diversity of the mission that we at the Department of Homeland Security undertake,” Mayorkas said. said.
Brennan went on to focus on “the scrutiny and whether he was radicalized here,” urging Mayorkas to defend the agency’s vetting process.
“Remember, that person is an Afghan national who has come through parole. It’s a process. If we then receive information that suggests an individual may be at risk, we will take appropriate law enforcement action. That’s exactly what we did in this case.” Mr. Mayorkas replied.
Border crossings have fallen to their lowest levels since President Joe Biden’s immigration order in June, but the number of illegal immigrants under the Trump administration was still significantly lower than under the Biden-Harris administration. By the end of Trump’s term, illegal border crossings totaled about 2 million, while Biden averaged 2 million a year from 2021 to 2023. According to to the Washington Post.
Reports made headlines in September that the Torren de Aragua gang had “taken over” several apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, according to property managers. quoted According to the Denver Post. Despite the city’s claims, republican mayor And a Democratic governor. Jared Polis The problem is overblown, according to FOX 31, where authorities confirmed in mid-September that 10 gang members were residing in the city and “committed acts of violence against members of the immigrant community.” It was reported.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
