Bowling Green Today

On June 17, 2024, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter requests detailed information regarding the recent apprehension of several individuals from Tajikistan with suspected ties to the Islamic State who entered the United States through the southern border.

Senator Paul, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senator Graham, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed concerns about potential vulnerabilities in border security and immigration screening processes.

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 highlighted significant national security implications and requested detailed information from DHS by June 28, 2024. They seek records related to the individuals' immigration status and criminal history, communications between federal agencies concerning these individuals, documents regarding their entry into the U.S., details on detention space at the time of apprehension, addresses provided upon entry, personal information processed through criminal databases, asylum claims made by these individuals, communications with law enforcement agencies about arrests or detainments by state jurisdictions, and their transit through other countries.

"Thank you for your prompt attention and cooperation in this matter," concluded the letter.

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