Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul, the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has taken action alongside Senators James Lankford, Rick Scott, and Roger Marshall. The group sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. They are seeking information about the arrest of two Afghan nationals in Oklahoma City who were allegedly planning an Election Day terrorist attack for ISIS.

The criminal complaint reveals that Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi entered the U.S. with a Special Immigration Visa after the withdrawal from Afghanistan by the Biden-Harris administration. Tawhedi is accused of promoting ISIS propaganda, funding charities linked to ISIS, and buying weapons with plans to send remaining funds to ISIS.

Senators expressed concern over this incident, citing it as part of a series of security breaches that question DHS's capability to protect the nation effectively.

The letter details Tawhedi's activities in collaboration with a juvenile coconspirator who also entered the U.S. on a Special Immigration Visa in 2018. Reports suggest they intended to execute an armed attack on Election Day.

The Senators argue that current screening processes are inadequate under the Biden-Harris administration, allowing individuals with terrorist ties into the country. They emphasize the need for detailed information by November 8, 2024, to address these security concerns.