House Republicans have issued subpoenas to the Biden Administration for Afghan refugee records due to increasing terror threats.
House Republicans Subpoena Biden Administration For Afghan Refugee Records Amid Rising Terror Threats
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (Getty Images)
House Republicans on Tuesday subpoenaed the Department of Homeland Security for information about Afghan refugees as intelligence officials warn of increased threats of a terrorist attack in the United States.
The Biden administration has stonewalled congressional inquiries into security screenings of the almost 90,000 Afghan refugees who have entered the United States since 2021, Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee say in a Tuesday letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“In the wake of the Biden administration’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country has once again become a breeding ground for foreign terrorist organizations under Taliban rule,” Homeland Security Committee chairman Mark Green (R., Tenn.) said in a statement. “The Committee is still seeking answers on how the Biden administration vetted those entering the United States following the withdrawal.”
The Homeland Security Committee’s inquiry comes as intelligence officials warn that recent Hamas attacks could inspire other Islamic extremists to plan attacks. FBI director Christopher Wray testified to the House on Tuesday that “the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole other level.”
Republicans initially asked the Department of Homeland Security for a full accounting of the Afghan refugee vetting process in 2021. Since then, Green said, those requests “were met with insufficient responses from the Biden administration.”
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.
Republicans have long contested that the Biden administration had no protocol to vet the Afghan nationals who were granted refugee status following the United States’ botched withdrawal from the country. Many of the Afghans granted entry to the country, internal government communications show, did not own a passport when they landed in the United States.
In response to repeated requests from congressional Republicans, the Biden administration has turned over reports with 150 pages of redactions and other edits. Other data provided by the Biden administration, Green says, were “nothing more than scanned printouts from spreadsheets of data that were provided in a format that rendered them indecipherable.”
Republicans are now using their legal authority to get a full picture on how those Afghan refugees were admitted. The subpoena covers all communications for more than a dozen agencies related to the vetting of Afghan refugees. The Department of Homeland Security has until Nov. 7 to comply.
Biden administration officials informed lawmakers in a classified December 2021 briefing that “not all security and vetting measures have been taken to ensure the safety of our homeland.”
Since the United States exited Afghanistan, the Taliban has taken full control of the country.
In what ways does the Biden administration plan to demonstrate that their vetting process for Afghan refugees is thorough and comprehensive, in response to House Republicans’ demands for answers and clarity
Ent on the subpoena. However, in the past, they have defended their vetting process, stating that it is thorough and comprehensive.
The issue of Afghan refugee vetting has become increasingly important in light of recent terror threats. The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has allowed for the resurgence of terrorist organizations in the region, posing a serious threat to national security. The concern is that some of these refugees may have ties to these extremist groups and could potentially carry out attacks on American soil.
House Republicans have been demanding transparency and accountability from the Biden administration regarding the vetting process for Afghan refugees. They argue that the administration’s failure to provide sufficient information undermines national security and puts American lives at risk.
The subpoena issued by the House Homeland Security Committee aims to compel the Department of Homeland Security to hand over all relevant documents and information pertaining to the screening and vetting of Afghan refugees. Republicans hope that this will shed light on any potential security gaps and allow for a better understanding of the risks associated with admitting these individuals into the country.
In response to the subpoena, Homeland Security Committee chairman Mark Green emphasized the importance of ensuring a thorough vetting process for all individuals entering the United States. He expressed concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of the situation and stressed the need for answers regarding the vetting procedures employed.
Intelligence officials have also expressed their concerns about the recent Hamas attacks serving as inspiration for other extremist groups. The FBI director has stated that the ongoing war in the Middle East has significantly heightened the threat level for potential attacks on American soil.
It is crucial for the Biden administration to address these concerns and provide clarity on the vetting process for Afghan refugees. Transparency and accountability are essential in maintaining the trust of the American people and ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
As the subpoena is issued, it remains to be seen how the Department of Homeland Security will respond. Republicans are hopeful that this will lead to more comprehensive answers and a better understanding of the potential risks associated with the admission of Afghan refugees into the United States.
In the face of rising terror threats and the potential for attacks on American soil, it is imperative that all necessary precautions are taken to protect the country and its citizens. The subpoena issued by House Republicans represents an important step in ensuring that the vetting process for Afghan refugees is thorough, rigorous, and effective in safeguarding national security.
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