National security threats may have entered the U.S.
More than 76,000 Afghans have been brought to the United States since August of last year. According to a new report by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, Afghan evacuees coming into the U.S. were not properly vetted, and DHS may have allowed multiple national security and public safety threats into the country.
The report found that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “did not always have crucial data to properly screen, or vet, or inspect the evacuees.”
The report states, “We determined some information used to vet evacuees through U.S. Government databases, such as name, date of birth, identification number, and travel document data was inaccurate, incomplete, or missing. We also determined CBP admitted or paroled evacuees who were not fully vetted into the United States.”
“As a result, DHS may have admitted or paroled individuals into the United States who pose a risk to national security and the safety of local communities,” the report continued.
The department watchdog gives examples of some individuals only having one name, others being assigned a January 1 date of birth, a reliance on translators and other cultural differences, and “questionable data” that the report said made it difficult for DHS to vet and screen evacuees. The report said that CBP officials “could not provide reliable data on evacuees admitted or paroled into the United States” and did not maintain a list of the individuals admitted or paroled into the U.S. without proper identification.
The report recommends that CBP ensure that established vetting processes are carried out and that it identify evacuees who are in the U.S., providing evidence of full screening and vetting. It also calls for a “comprehensive contingency plan” for future situations.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Commissioner Magnus to seek God’s direction as he heads Customs and Border Protection.
- That Secretary Mayorkas would lead the Department of Homeland Security with integrity and discernment.
- For U.S. national security officials as they assess the threats from improperly vetted evacuees.
Sources: Fox News, Military Times
