Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has joined her Republican Senate colleagues in demanding answers from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after eight individuals with suspected ties to ISIS were apprehended at the southern border and subsequently released into the United States.

"We write to express our grave concerns regarding reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of eight individuals from Tajikistan suspected to have terror ties to ISIS who crossed the southern border to enter the U.S. last year and this year," the senators stated in their letter. "Reportedly, two of these individuals crossed the border in spring 2023, and one of them used the CBP One app to enter the U.S."

The senators highlighted an increase in encounters at the southern border involving aliens on the terrorist watchlist during President Biden's administration. "In fiscal years 2017 to 2020 combined, 11 noncitizens on the terrorist watchlist were caught attempting to enter via the Southern border between ports of entry. That number increased to 15 in FY 2021, 98 in FY 2022, 169 in FY 2023, and 80 in FY 2024 as of May 15," they wrote.

In addition to Senators Capito and Budd, signatories include Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).

The letter expressed further concerns about inadequate vetting processes: "We are deeply concerned by reports that a wiretap shows that one of the now-arrested individuals was talking about bombs... We are further concerned by reports that federal authorities vetting these individuals upon entry into the U.S. did not detect any ties to ISIS at the time."

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress expressing concern over potential coordinated attacks within the homeland similar to those seen overseas: "Now increasingly concerning is the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland." Wray also highlighted issues with smuggling networks having ISIS ties.

Recent incidents mentioned include Mohammad Kharwin, a suspected member of Hezb-e-Islami arrested after being unmonitored for ten months, a Somali national tied to Al-Shabaab roaming free for nearly a year before capture, and Jovokhir Attoev from Uzbekistan who entered undetected despite an international notice.

Senators requested detailed information by June 25, including names and identities of those arrested, their points of entry, asylum claims status if any, details on their vetting process, whether they belong to terrorist organizations or broader networks inside the U.S., their possession of weapons or explosives, and any plans for attacks.