Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have formally requested additional information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the recent apprehension of several individuals from Tajikistan with suspected ties to the Islamic State. The individuals reportedly entered the United States through the southern border and were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigration violations in various cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.

In their letter, Paul and Graham highlighted potential vulnerabilities within border security and immigration screening processes that these arrests have exposed. They emphasized the importance of understanding these issues to ensure that national security systems are adequately safeguarding against such threats.

The senators requested detailed information from DHS by June 28, 2024. The requested data includes:

- All DHS records related to the arrested individuals, including their immigration status and criminal history.

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

- Documents regarding their arrival and entry at U.S. borders.

- Information on detention space availability at the time of apprehension.

- Addresses provided by these individuals upon entering the U.S.

- Personal information processed through international and national criminal databases.

- Details on any asylum or protection claims made by these individuals.

- Communications between DHS, CBP, ICE, and other law enforcement agencies about these individuals.

- Information on their transit through other countries and any asylum sought in third countries.

Paul and Graham concluded their letter with a request for prompt attention to this matter.

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