Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have formally requested additional information from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the recent apprehension of several individuals from Tajikistan with suspected ties to the Islamic State. These individuals reportedly entered the United States through the southern border.

In a letter sent on Friday, Senators Paul and Graham highlighted concerns over national security vulnerabilities exposed by these arrests. The letter states, "According to media reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently arrested multiple individuals with suspected ties to ISIS on immigration violations in various cities across the country, including New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles."

The senators emphasized the importance of understanding these security gaps to ensure that border infrastructure and national security systems are effective in preventing such threats. They requested detailed information from DHS by June 28, 2024.

The requested information includes:

- All DHS records related to the arrested individuals.

- Communications between DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ICE, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding these individuals.

- Documents related to their arrival at U.S. borders.

- Information on detention space at the time of apprehension.

- Addresses provided upon entry into the U.S.

- Personal information processed through criminal databases.

- Asylum or protection claims made by these individuals.

- Communications with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies concerning these arrests.

- Details of their transit through other countries.

The letter concludes with an appeal for prompt attention and cooperation from Secretary Mayorkas.